Roy Keane has admitted he would entertain a return to management, amid speculation linking the Manchester United legend with a potential move to Celtic. The ITV and Sky Sports pundit made the comments in a Sky Sports Premier League A-Z feature released on Saturday.
Supporters have been awaiting updates regarding the future of Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, who said he will reflect on his position during the international break. A loss to Rangers marked the third defeat in seven days for the Scottish champions, having also been beaten by their rivals in the Premier Sports Cup before opening their Europa League campaign with a home loss to Ferencvaros.
Keane spotted at Celtic Park
Speculation over a possible succession plan grew after Keane was spotted in the stands during the 1-0 league reverse at Celtic Park. However, Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson has since backed O'Neill, meaning the decision will ultimately rest with the 74-year-old, with whom Keane worked during O'Neill's spell in charge of Ireland and Nottingham Forest.
Keane has been absent from the dugout for 15 years since leaving Ipswich Town, where he spent two years in charge following success in his first managerial role at Sunderland.
Pilot light still on
Speaking to Micah Richards, Keane left the door open for a comeback. He said: "Strangely enough, at weekends when I'm watching games, there are teams I watch and you go, 'I think I could go in there and do a job.'"
"But it's mostly at weekends. It's not through the week. It's not Monday morning when I'm having my scrambled egg at the local cafe, just reading a paper. All these managers driving up and down the motorways and stresses. But yeah, I do. I think there's always something there."
"The pilot light is still on for something. If someone gave me a phone call and told you, you know what? Who knows? It's going to be unlikely."
Opportunities turned down
Richards suggested to Keane that management is "still in you", highlighting how the Irishman responds while analysing matches in the Sky studio. Keane replied: "Yeah. Because even when we're watching games, you look at it from a manager's point of view. Yeah, maybe, maybe. But then to actually go in there and do it, the logistics of everything."
Keane also revealed there had been opportunities in recent years that he turned down to continue his broadcasting work. He said: "It's well and good sitting here going, 'Yeah, yeah.' But the reality is then, and I've had opportunities the last few years, but then there's contracts and staff issues and you go, 'Really?' And sometimes you go, 'Stick to what you're doing.'"
Keane, who concluded his playing career at Celtic Park with a brief stint in 2006, notably rejected the Hoops' position in 2014 before Ronny Deila was appointed, with the Irishman claiming that Dermot Desmond told him the job was his if he wanted it.
