Former Manchester United academy product Keith Gillespie has told Football FanCast that Nicky Butt could link up with Celtic as speculation continues to swirl over the potential appointment of Roy Keane as manager.

Reports suggest the Scottish giants have opened talks with Keane over the vacant position, following the resignation of Neil Lennon earlier this season.

Celtic have watched on as Rangers have won the Scottish Premiership title, and they are currently 20 points behind their Old Firm rivals.

Butt has left United after nine years spent working with the club’s academy, and United released a statement claiming that he was seeking a “new professional challenge”.

That has heightened speculation he could link up with Keane at Parkhead as Celtic look to revive their fortunes and challenge Rangers once again.

Football Insider have reported that Butt could move to become Keane’s assistant.

And Gillespie thinks that his former team-mate will have something lined up, and he believes there could be a chance he is heading north of the border.

He told FFC: "I think with Nicky leaving the academy, he's obviously got something lined up. So who knows? It could be that.

“We could just be barking up the wrong tree like happens too often. But I'd say that there's maybe a bit of truth in it, the fact that the timing of Nicky leaving then all of a sudden, there's this mention of Celtic. So I'd say that there probably is something in it.”

Butt spent 12 years at United, playing in central midfield, winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League.