Robbie Keane's Candidacy for Celtic: A Focus on Football, Not Politics

Robbie Keane’s name is back in the frame for Celtic – and one former Premier League boss believes supporters should judge him on the touchline, not on geopolitics.

Keane, who previously managed Ferencvaros, came close to landing the Celtic job before Martin O’Neill was brought in on a short-term basis. At that point, fan protests gathered pace, driven by anger over Keane’s spell in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Those protests helped close the door. Dermot Desmond turned to O’Neill instead.

Ian Dowie thinks that decision, and the mood around it, said more about the noise off the pitch than Keane’s credentials on it.

“In terms of Robbie Keane, I think the fan opposition to Keane stems from where he has managed previously, which I understand,” Dowie said. “I think he should really just be judged on his footballing ability.”

That is the crux of Dowie’s case: strip away the politics, and you are left with a coach with international experience, a heavyweight playing career and a growing body of work in the dugout.

Keane is not the only Irishman Dowie sees as a realistic option in Glasgow. Damien Duff, who has quietly built a strong reputation in his own right, also came into the conversation.

“Keane certainly has more experience internationally, but Damien Duff has done a fantastic job wherever he’s been,” Dowie said. “Both would be strong candidates, but it’s hard to say for sure.”

The size of the task, he insists, cannot be overstated.

“Celtic is a massive club, they, along with Rangers, are huge entities. You need a specific mindset to manage a club of that stature, and both Duff and Keane certainly possess that mentality.”

Right now, Dowie senses Keane might just have the edge.

“I think Keane might be the favourite right now, but I don’t think he’s a political person. He’s been dragged into the narrative a bit.”

For Celtic’s hierarchy, the choice – whenever it comes – will be a familiar one: bow to the storm outside the stadium, or back the man they believe can handle the heat inside it.