Next Celtic manager: Keane endorsement sees Roy go favourite

“I know how he liked things to run at Sunderland. He was an aggressive player, he wanted to win every match and, from what I’ve seen, he is exactly the same as a manager. It’s a big job for anybody. It’s a big club, a massive club.

“There are a lot of good managers out there that would see Celtic as being a really good job and a good prospect to go on and do something pretty special, winning trophies and playing in European competitions. There’s not that many clubs in Britain that are capable of doing that.”

Celtic challenge?

Rodgers apart, the other favourites to succeed Deila as Hoops head coach have all been former players. Keane holds that common ground with fellow midfielder Paul Lambert, who has now left Blackburn Rovers, and one-time Bhoys centre back David Moyes.

While the Celtic hierarchy are understood to be in no hurry to name a new boss after recording a fifth straight Scottish Premiership title triumph, getting in a manager with experience of the club is certainly a desirable trait.

Hoops supporters have been left underwhelmed by performances towards the end of Deila’s reign at Parkhead. Couple that with Glasgow Old Firm rivals Rangers completing their resurgence, and the Celtic job is tougher than it looks.

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