Celtic supporters have been waiting patiently by their phones for news of a major announcement from their club for nine weeks now.
Ever since Neil Lennon left Parkhead behind, the Bhoys have struggled to find his successor. In short, it’s a chaotic saga that doesn’t look as though it has an end.
What’s the word?
Roy Keane has long been in the conversation to become the new Celtic manager.
In fact, he emerged as the first major contender after reportedly having an interview with the club last month.
Rumours of the Irishman picked up to the point where it was thought Nicky Butt had left his role with Manchester United in order to join him in Glasgow.
However, as the weeks ticked by, attention turned to Eddie Howe.
A number of issues have plagued their pursuit of the 43-year-old and now Keane is back in the mix to be appointed. That was a surprise given how quiet his name had gone on the manager front in the last few weeks.
In a fresh twist to the tale, though, the Man United legend doesn’t think he’ll actually get the job.
That news was revealed by journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter: “Howe is stalling. But at least there’s a legit reason. Even if you do wonder. Keane doesn’t think he gets it.”
Exciting news
To hear the idea that Keane thinks he’ll miss out on the job should be music to the ears of Celtic supporters.
After all, when he was first linked with the role at Paradise, Hoops podcaster Paul John Dykes claimed that Keane becoming manager had gone down like a led balloon with fans.
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You can certainly see why the Green Brigade held that view. Although his tough natured ways could help address a number of mental issues in the squad, the negatives massively outweigh the cons.
Firstly, he hasn’t held a gig as a manager for the best part of ten years. He’s gained knowledge from Martin O’Neill while his assistant at Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland but Keane’s record doesn’t amount to much when in control himself.
The 49-year-old earned promotion from the English Championship to the Premier League with Sunderland but his win rate with the Mackems and Ipswich amounts to just 38.7%.
With Celtic in such a crucial transitioning stage, they need a manager with a proven track record and outstanding principles.
Take Alexander Blessin or Jesse Marsch, for example. Both have strategies that have helped their respective clubs thrive domestically and the duo are good at working with young players.
Keane, however, is a rather unknown quantity in the managerial world. Supporters should be pleased Dermot Desmond is focusing his efforts elsewhere on this one.