Robbie Keane recommends a Celtic backroom setup with a Parkhead icon and ex-Aberdeen boss.

Robbie Keane is reportedly putting together a coaching staff packed with familiar Scottish football figures as he attempts to secure the Celtic manager’s job ahead of former boss Martin O’Neill.

The former Republic of Ireland captain has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the vacant position at Parkhead and has already held discussions with senior Celtic officials in London regarding the role. While O’Neill remains a major candidate, the club hierarchy are considering multiple options as they look to appoint the right person to guide the team into the new season.

Robbie Keane

Keane is believed to be highly motivated to land the position and has outlined a support structure that he feels would help him succeed in Glasgow. His proposed backroom staff would feature several well-known names with strong ties to Scottish football, including Stephen Glass, Scott Brown and Jonny Hayes.

Glass would be expected to play a prominent role if Keane is appointed. The former Aberdeen manager previously worked alongside Keane at Hungarian side Ferencvaros, where he served as assistant manager. The pair enjoyed success together before leaving their respective positions earlier this year.

The relationship between Keane and Glass is one of the key factors behind the proposed coaching setup. Glass has developed strong links across Scottish football throughout his career and has maintained close relationships with several influential figures in the game.

One of those figures is former Celtic captain Scott Brown. The pair have known each other for years, and Glass played a major role in convincing Brown to move to Aberdeen when he left Celtic. Brown joined the Pittodrie club as a player-coach, with Glass seeing him as a valuable addition both on and off the pitch.

Stephen Glass(Image: SNS Group)

Brown’s extensive experience at Celtic, where he captained the club through one of the most successful periods in its history, would provide significant knowledge and leadership to any coaching team. Keane briefly shared a dressing room with Brown during his loan spell at Celtic in 2010, and the former midfielder’s understanding of the club would make him a valuable presence should Keane be handed the reins.

Jonny Hayes is another name under consideration as part of the proposed management structure. The former winger has strong links with both Celtic and Aberdeen and previously played under Glass during his time in the north-east. Hayes currently works within Celtic’s B-team coaching setup and is highly regarded within the club’s development system.

The connections between the trio remain strong. Brown and Hayes visited Keane and Glass in Budapest during the previous campaign while completing elements of their UEFA Pro Licence qualifications. Their continued contact has only strengthened speculation that they could reunite as part of a new-look Celtic coaching staff.

Keane’s managerial career has taken him across several countries since his retirement as a player. He has gained experience in India with ATK, enjoyed league success in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and recently added silverware in Hungary after helping Ferencvaros secure a domestic cup triumph.

Those achievements have helped strengthen his credentials and have convinced some within Celtic that he is capable of taking on one of the biggest jobs in Scottish football.

However, Martin O’Neill remains a serious contender for the role.

The veteran manager was expected to hold discussions with Keane regarding the vacancy last week, although those talks were postponed and are now expected to take place in the coming days. O’Neill’s future is one of the key issues facing the Celtic board as they determine the direction they want to take.

Club officials must decide whether they prefer a short-term solution with a proven figure or a longer-term appointment who could oversee the next phase of the club’s development.

The decision carries extra importance given the disappointment surrounding last season’s managerial appointment. Celtic endured a difficult campaign under Wilfried Nancy, and the board are eager to avoid another costly mistake.

O’Neill returned to steady the ship during a turbulent period and ultimately played a major role in rescuing the season. His experience and leadership helped Celtic recover from a difficult position, and the club eventually secured the Scottish Premiership title on the final day of the campaign.

Many supporters believe that achievement alone justifies offering him the opportunity to continue for at least another season.

During his latest spell in charge, O’Neill was assisted by Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham. The pair played important roles behind the scenes and contributed to the turnaround that led to Celtic reclaiming the championship.

Maloney’s future is particularly interesting. Reports have suggested that he could move into a sporting director or director of football position rather than remain on the coaching staff. Such a role would allow him to influence the club’s long-term strategy, recruitment and development plans from a senior executive position.

Should Maloney move upstairs, O’Neill would reportedly support the idea and may even look to strengthen his coaching group with an additional appointment.

At the same time, O’Neill would be keen to retain the services of both Maloney and Fotheringham if he remains manager. Continuity could prove valuable as Celtic prepare for another demanding season domestically and in Europe.

O’Neill’s track record at Celtic remains one of the strongest in the club’s modern history. Across two separate spells in charge, he has collected nine major trophies and established himself as one of the most respected managers to lead the club.

His popularity among supporters also remains significant. Many fans view him as the safest option and would welcome an extension to his current stay.

Keane, however, presents a different profile. At 45, he represents a younger and potentially longer-term solution. His experience across multiple countries and his ambition to build a coaching team with deep Scottish football knowledge could appeal to decision-makers looking beyond the immediate future.

Nevertheless, his candidacy has not been universally embraced. Some sections of the support have expressed concerns because of his previous managerial work in Israel. That issue has generated debate among fans and contributed to differing opinions over whether he should become the club’s next manager.

While the board continue to evaluate their options, preparations for the transfer window are already underway. Celtic’s recruitment department has identified several potential signings and has begun compiling shortlists of players who could strengthen the squad.

However, no final decisions are expected until the managerial situation is resolved.

The club’s hierarchy are determined that the incoming manager should have a major say in recruitment plans and the overall direction of the squad. As a result, transfer activity is effectively on hold until an appointment is confirmed.

With both Keane and O’Neill firmly in contention, the coming days are expected to be crucial. Celtic must decide whether to place their faith in a proven club legend who delivered success once again or hand the responsibility to an ambitious coach eager to begin a new chapter at Parkhead.

Either way, the choice will shape the club’s future both on and off the pitch.