Celtic hotseat – Dermot Desmond will meet both Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane in London as the Celtic Parkhead hotseat narrows to a two-horse race, with a decision expected by the end of the week ahead of a major summer rebuild.
Parkhead won’t stay in limbo for long. By the time the end of the week comes around, Dermot Desmond expects to have clarity on who will sit in the Celtic dugout next season — and the list of serious candidates is already down to two.
The powerbroker is due to hold talks with both Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane in London over the post, with no other candidate currently in the running. Desmond is understood to be keen to offer certainty ahead of what’s expected to be a major rebuild of the squad over the summer.
O’Neill arrives into the conversation with recent history on his side. He returned twice to Celtic to take charge last season and ultimately guided the club to a remarkable league and cup double. After the victory over Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final. the 74-year-old didn’t rule out starting the new campaign back in the dug-out.
But he also drew a clear line about what he sees as his role. He made it known he wouldn’t be the right candidate if Desmond was looking for someone for a longer-term “project”.
The other thread pulling focus is a possible partnership with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham. With uncertainty around the World Cup throwing disruption into the transfer market, the idea of O’Neill working again alongside that familiar setup is seen as particularly attractive.
Keane, meanwhile, brings his own kind of momentum to the table. The 45-year-old is in the frame after departing Ferencvaros, where he claimed the title and the cup in his 18-month stint. Before that, he managed Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning the title there too.
Like O’Neill, Keane is a lifelong Celtic fan. He played for the club on loan in 2010 and last year, and as manager of Ferencvaros he didn’t rule out the prospect of one day becoming Celtic boss. His willingness to commit for three years is part of the pitch being discussed.
That plan appears to include bringing familiar faces into the backroom. Ireland’s record cap holder is believed to have earmarked former Celtic players Scott Brown and Johnny Hayes as potential assistants.
Celtic’s timing is unusually tight. The club’s last-gasp title win ensures they have another crack at the Champions League next season. but they’ll begin with a play-off against the likes of AEK Athens or NK Celje in mid-August. With that in mind. the next manager is expected to be given as much time as possible to reshape the squad.
There’s also the wider market picture, and one name that won’t be part of Celtic’s decision. Wales boss Craig Bellamy distanced himself yesterday from reports linking him to the Parkhead position. while underlining his commitment to leading his nation into Euro 2028. Bellamy said Wales have given him this opportunity and he’s “really grateful for that. ” adding he is “fully focused on the next two years” and being Welsh manager is “unique. full stop.”.
He stressed that no matter where he’s been, “my country is the most important thing,” describing it as “an amazing time” and saying he doesn’t want to “wish that away.” Bellamy is halfway through a four-year contract.
While the manager search plays out in London, the recruitment conversation continues to move elsewhere. AC Milan are reported to have joined the list of clubs keeping tabs on Celtic’s Belgian midfielder Arne Engels.
Engels is 22 years old and was the subject of a £25million bid from Nottingham Forest in the January window. He is believed to be keen on exploring his options as English and European clubs monitor his situation. Lazio and Roma have also been linked with Engels.
Engels arrived in an £11m deal from Augsburg in 2024, and Milan could now be set to make their move as they look to complete a major revamp of the San Siro squad this summer.
The next manager decision may be the headline, but every detail circles back to the same urgent deadline. Desmond’s talks are scheduled, the contenders are known, and Celtic’s return to Europe in mid-August means the rebuild can’t wait.
Celtic Dermot Desmond Martin O’Neill Robbie Keane Parkhead Scottish Cup final World Cup Champions League play-off Arne Engels AC Milan Nottingham Forest Lazio Roma
So Desmond is basically picking the coach like it’s FIFA end of season, got it.