Celtic have been warned against appointing Roy Keane as manager if Martin O'Neill were to step down from the Parkhead hotseat, with former Hoops defender Alan Stubbs saying he does not believe handing the Manchester United icon the reins would be a wise move.
Celtic suffered back-to-back defeats to arch rivals Rangers in the league and cup before the international break, losing out on a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final while also seeing their lead at the top of the Premiership cut to just two points after the first seven matches.
O'Neill's future under scrutiny
Veteran boss O'Neill admitted that he would consider his position in the dugout during the break, with Celts returning to action with a trip to Motherwell on Sunday, October 11. Fans are already speculating about who would replace the 74-year-old were he to depart, and some have thrown one-time Hoops midfielder Keane's name into the hat.
The Irishman has been working as a pundit for Sky Sports for the last eight years after spells as an assistant coach at Nottingham Forest, the Republic of Ireland national team and Aston Villa - two of which saw him work under O'Neill - with his last role in management coming at Ipswich Town back in 2011.
Stubbs: Keane not the right step
Keane has confirmed he would consider a return to the dugout, but Stubbs - who made over 100 appearances for Celtic between 1996 and 2001 - can't envisage the outspoken 55-year-old ever taking on the job. Stubbs also reckons Celts supporters are desperate to see a return to the swashbuckling style of football employed by Aussie Ange Postecoglou during his two seasons at Parkhead.
Speaking to Gambler Media, he said: "Eddie Howe has been mentioned for the Celtic job, Roberto [Martínez], Roy Keane as well. I don't necessarily think Roy Keane is the right step. I just don't see it as a good fit, if I'm being honest."
"I don't know whether it's going back to the Brendan Rodgers style, where I think the fans got a bit bored of the ball going sideways and backwards. Celtic fans want an exciting team that presses and keeps the ball, with wingers who beat players, get balls into the box, and where the quality outshines the opposition."
Fans want Postecoglou-style football
"The fans really liked the football under Ange Postecoglou because it was front-foot and high intensity. I'm not sure Ange would go back now. There are a few candidates out there, but if they went for one of the big names, they'd put more demand on the Celtic board than anybody has in the last few years. They wouldn't come unless they had assurances of a big pot of money and a big say in recruitment."
