Robbie Keane was strongly linked with the Celtic manager’s job
After spending four decades in radio, there’s something special about those unexpected moments when a caller delivers a line that genuinely stops you in your tracks and makes you think deeply.
The discussion centred on whether Martin O’Neill or Robbie Keane ought to take the Celtic manager’s position for the upcoming season.
O’Neill’s track record speaks for itself – having rescued what appeared to be a crisis situation at Celtic Park and delivered a league-and-cup Double, his credentials are impeccable and permanently etched into the club’s history.
By contrast, Keane’s suitability was rejected with one stark remark from a Celtic fan.
Without any hint of exaggeration, the caller stated: “He chose the coin over humanity,” – a remarkably powerful observation, wouldn’t you say?, reports the Daily Record.
Whether or not you shared that view, it was impossible to dismiss such passionate sentiment, especially if it reflects the opinion of a substantial portion of the club’s support who regard Keane’s potential appointment as ethically unacceptable.
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond is, let’s face it, viewed with disdain by certain supporters who take issue with what they perceive as his authoritarian approach to running the club.
The previous campaign at Celtic Park was consumed by dealing with various controversies and problems.
There was Brendan Rodgers’ bitter exit, accompanied by a damning public statement from Desmond criticising the departing boss. Then came the shareholders’ AGM, which descended into chaos after Desmond’s son, Ross, made incendiary comments about certain Celtic supporters.
So why, against such a backdrop, would you essentially throw petrol on the fire by appointing someone you knew would provoke serious anger amongst the fanbase?
Even Dermot isn’t quite that dismissive of supporters’ views.
He’s acknowledged their position that bringing in Keane would be morally unjustifiable.
That’s why the arrangement has been made to keep O’Neill at the helm for the upcoming campaign, with the additional responsibility of safeguarding the club’s identity.
In all honesty, Keane’s track record as a manager hardly warranted the level of backlash his potential appointment would have triggered in Glasgow.
I won’t trivialise dreadful events of worldwide significance merely to fit them into a football debate.
What I will say is that O’Neill’s continuation, the Third Coming, enables Celtic to focus on rebuilding the organisation, both on the pitch and behind the scenes, without further hysteria.
It’s not as if letting O’Neill carry on represents any form of risk. Martin brings with him a reliable partner in Shaun Maloney and coach Mark Fotheringham, who has earned recognition for his impressive contributions in the Bundesliga.
While Keane would have faced severe criticism, residents of Kilrea in Northern Ireland are presently debating whether O’Neill deserves to be commemorated with a commemorative plaque or awarded the Freedom of the Borough, the most prestigious civic accolade a council can grant to acknowledge his professional accomplishments.
There’s a broader debate, naturally, that regardless of whether it was O’Neill or Keane, Celtic have been too narrow-minded in their approach when selecting their next manager or head coach.
This lack of looking beyond the Celtic family frustrates some observers.
However, the previous occasion they ventured outside resulted in the catastrophic 33-day spell under Wilfried Nancy, who derailed the season’s momentum after arriving from the United States.
That’s not to suggest one should permanently dismiss the prospect of exploring what international football has to offer regarding managerial appointments.
Yet, in this particular case, the decision was straightforward: O’Neill or Keane.
Continuity or conflagration.
Dermot projects a powerful sense that he will consistently follow his own judgement without the slightest regard for Celtic supporters’ opinions.
On this occasion, he’s pursued the popular, most pragmatic path.
I’ve previously stated my view that Desmond has reached the end of his tenure following an extended spell of undeniable success.
Celtic would ultimately profit from a change in leadership. However, this would necessitate someone, or an entity, genuinely prepared to challenge the main shareholder’s determination by presenting a takeover bid for the club.
Yet there seems to be no such proposal emerging anywhere in sight at present.
Under these circumstances, Desmond faced a choice regarding the team’s management.
Particularly as Rangers and Hearts prepare to mount a fresh challenge while Celtic confronts a summer of substantial reorganisation.
Amidst the turbulence came success, manifesting as a league-and-cup Double last season – though this doesn’t mean Celtic ought to embrace disorder as their standard operating procedure.
The direction has now been established, moving ahead, by Desmond’s preference for continuity rather than going rogue in favour of a conflagration.
Martin will reach 75 during the upcoming season at the club he says gave him a “reason to live”.
A relieved support will have had years taken off them while being content the father of the club has steered them clear of unsavoury controversy.
Martin’s taken the coin and embraced humanity. That’s how the fans will see it.
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