Key questions answered as Celtic search for new boss with Robbie Keane, Martin O’Neill, Craig Bellamy and Roberto Martinez all considered
Sky Sports has reported that Celtic owner Dermot Desmond held ‘constructive’ talks with Robbie Keane over the Parkhead managerial vacancy earlier this week but also says that no decision will be made until Martin O’Neill is consulted about his future wishes.
The broadcaster prompted much debate amongst Celtic fans on Thursday when it broke the news that the talks between Desmond and Keane had been positive.
As Keane’s past life as manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv continues to stir controversy, Sky have also reported that Desmond will make no decision until he sits down with O’Neill who won the double in his second interim spell as manager in the season just ended.
The report says O’Neill may be interested in staying in the hotseat for another season or could move upstairs to a Director of Football or advisory role with the Bhoys next season.
Sky Sports also claim that Celtic want to talk to Wales boss Craig Bellamy despite his public commitment to his country in recent days while Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is in the mix.
They say that O’Neill now holds the key to the appointment and, by definition, to Keane’s aspirations to manage the club where he played on loan for six months in 2010.
As the FAI wait to decide what will happen around the Nations League home game with Israel in October, the Scottish women have confirmed they never spoke about a boycott of their World Cup games against the Israelis.
Scotland will play both the home and away matches in Budapest which will also host the other Israel games against Belgium and Luxembourg.
Midfielder Christy Grimshaw confirmed to BBC Sport that a boycott was never discussed by the Scottish players. “Honestly, no,” she said. “We are obviously aware of all the situations with the Irish players as well, with Israel.
“Ultimately, we have to let the people who are in charge of these situations - the governing bodies who decide these things - decide. We, as players, have been put in a situation where it’s the Israel game at a neutral venue and that’s all we can do.
“Is it the best circumstances surrounding it? Of course not, because we are aware of everything else that’s going on and we feel for that as humans. However, right now we have to adapt to the situation and play football. That’s our role and that’s all we can do.”
New Ireland striker Mason Melia aims to show Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi what he can do in Canada’s World Cup send-off game in Montreal on Friday night.
The former St Patrick’s Athletic striker made his Irish debut as a last minute sub against Qatar last month and is expected to win a second cap in the friendly.
Speaking at a pre-game media conference, Melia told the Irish Sun’s Owen Cowzer that he wants to show Spurs he is ready for a first team debut in this end of season fixture and could even consider a loan move in the summer.
Melia said: “I want to be playing first team football again, I’ve said it to the club as well, they know that as well. So it’s just seeing what’s right, what the manager and what everyone at the club wants. At the moment I’m not quite sure, they want me to come in for pre-season.
“So I want to do as well and just show the manager what I can do, and do my best and see what goes from there.”
Derry City star James McClean will bring his own unique take on football to the RTE Studio panel for the World Cup finals.
The station announced yesterday that former Irish international will join the likes of Shay Given, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Dietmar Hamann, Áine O’Gorman, Kenny Cunningham, Stephen Kelly, Keith Treacy, Richie Sadlier, Alan Cawley, Kevin Doyle and Niamh Fahey as RTE broadcast 104 games in total across their platforms.
Shamrock Rovers will begin their defence of the FAI Cup with a home tie against Cork City in the second round of the 2026 edition of the tournament, a repeat of last year’s final which the Hoops won 2-0.
The42.ie reports that Dundalk will play away to Leinster Senior League side St Mochta’s while First Division Kerry FC will host Shelbourne.
