Robbie Keane and Martin O’Neill or Robbie Keane versus Martin O’Neill? That appears to be the question according to multiple media reports as Celtic fans await the appointment of a new manager.
The Irish Independent is one of the outlets covering the story and reports that Celtic owner Dermot Desmond has already held talks with Keane as he narrows the managerial search down to two candidates.
The paper also reports that O’Neill could move upstairs to a Director of Football role if Keane arrives, a reward for guiding the Celts to an unexpected League and Cup double in his two spells as interim boss last season.
But the paper also says that Keane’s connections with Israel from his time as manager at Maccabi Tel Aviv have caused issues with sections of the Celtic fan base.
Ireland international Will Ferry could be on his way to the MLS with Los Angeles FC amid interest from Europe as well - but former Under 21 midfielder Connor Ronan looks set to move back across the Atlantic and join Aberdeen from the Colorado Rapids.
The Irish Independent reports that an unnamed club on the continent are believed to have had a €1.2million bid turned down for Ferry, capped in the 5-0 win against Grenada last month.
The paper also reports that Ronan could quit the MLS after a couple of seasons with the Rapids and move to Aberdeen.
Newly promoted Ipswich Town could lose their Irish manager Kieran McKenna to Fulham after Marco Silva’s decision to move home to Portugal and take up the role as Jose Mourinho’s replacement at Benfica.
Fulham announced Silva’s departure on Tuesday as his contract expired after five years at Craven Cottage and the Belfast Telegraph reports that McKenna is the bookies’ favourite to succeed him.
Sinclair Armstrong is in Izmir to complete a medical ahead of a €2.5million move to Turkish side Goztepe from Bristol City according to a report by John Fallon in the Irish Examiner.
Capped by Stephen Kenny against Holland in 2024, the former QPR striker looks set to follow fellow international Festy Ebosele to Turkey after he moved Basaksehir FK last season.
Goalkeeper Joseph Anang will make history as the first St Patrick’s Athletic player to go to the World Cup finals whilst playing with the Inchicore side.
RTE Sport reports that Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz included Anang in his 26 man squad for the finals, announced on Tuesday. Ghana face England at the finals.
