Roy Keane has been told he would be "box office" for Celtic by his former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn. The comments come as fans await news on the future of Martin O'Neill, who has said he will consider his future during the international break following defeat to Rangers in the Premiership.
The Manchester United icon got fans talking after he made a surprise return to watch Celtic in action on derby day in the stands, with the club now in the midst of a three-game winless streak. Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson has offered his support to O'Neill, but the decision will ultimately lie in the hands of the 74-year-old.
Keane's name buzzing around the fanbase
Keane's name has continued to buzz around the fanbase, with Rangers' legend Graeme Souness floating the prospect of his appointment after the former Sunderland and Ipswich boss was spotted in the Celtic Park stands.
Speaking on his 'Graeme Souness Tackles' podcast, the Ibrox icon said: "I watched that game [Celtic vs Rangers]… there's been such a turnaround in Scotland.
"Football's mad. Go back to the start of the season… under so much pressure. There's talk of him [Derek McInnes] getting shown his P45, and then, in seven days last week, they turned it completely around.
"I think they're in the ascendancy now. Celtic look like they're feeling a wee bit sorry for themselves and in both games I've watched them last week and on Sunday, they were bullied. Rangers just bullied them.
"And for any Rangers team to go to Parkhead and win, it's quite a feat. It's a hard place to go and get a win. I'm a big fan of Martin O'Neill, and I just look at him in his interview - it was a tired Martin O'Neill.
"And I'll just throw this at you now. Roy Keane being in the stands, does that mean anything? He was at this game yesterday at Parkhead."
Quinn's endorsement and club statement expectations
Quinn, who gave Keane his first management gig with The Black Cats in 2006, said: "If Roy wanted to put his name in the hat, it would be huge.
"He hasn't managed for a while, but you'd be a testament to say that when it's in you, it's in you forever.
"I think he's more or less said that himself, and I certainly wouldn't object to think that would be a hell of a thing to do.
"I had him myself at Sunderland, and he really got the city going – because he's box office, the man. There's no doubt about that."
Mail Sport columnist Hugh Keevins expects a statement from the club next week to clarify the future of O'Neill, despite Nicholson's public support for the Parkhead hero. He told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: "I assume Martin has gone off with his wife for a break, and I assume some form of formal statement will be made by Celtic next week. I think they have to clarify.
"Now everyone is saying [about Michael Nicholson comments] 'did they speak to Martin before that came out?' What is wrong with clarity?
"Simply come out and issue a statement. I also think that if Martin has taken the decision to stay on then Martin should speak.
"Celtic are in trouble. There is doubt all over the place. They have issued financial figures that suggest they are no longer running the business as successfully as they did.
"People are now looking at the running of the club and thinking they are losing their way. While the club stutters and stumbles, the first thing is you have to find out if the manager is staying or not."
