Graeme Souness reckons that Roy Keane would “light the touch paper and be great for the Scottish game” if he is appointed Celtic manager.
After the wheels had already fallen off their title defence, Celtic sacked Neil Lennon with his former assistant John Kennedy taking charge on an interim basis.
A wide array of names from the footballing world have been linked with the job from Manchester City academy chief Enzo Maresca to current Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
The former Nottingham Forest manager and ex-Celtic player Roy Keane is also one of the names at the top of the list to lead Celtic next season.
The former Manchester United legend is known for his old school, no-nonsense personality on the pitch and now in the TV studios too, might bring the discipline and winning mentality Celtic need to reclaim the title from Rangers.
Souness reckons appointing him is a risk worth taking for the Celtic board as it would bring a lot of attention to the Scottish game, and he also believes the clashes between Keane and Rangers gaffer Gerrard would be a sight to see.
Writing in his Times column, Souness said: “Rangers and Celtic are arguably the hardest jobs in British football because you’re judged on four games and expected to wipe the floor with everybody else, so the criticism and pressure is severe.
“This was a make or break season for Gerrard, I don’t think he could have stayed if Celtic had won a tenth consecutive title, knowing the pressures up there.
"There always has to be a loser and Neil Lennon, who I’ve worked with on television and have a lot of time for, has lost the league and his job.
“Don’t expect Celtic to roll over and accept this as the norm. They will respond this summer.
“I can’t second guess their board, but if they went for Roy Keane, as a report suggested, it would light the touch paper and be great for the Scottish game because people throughout football and far beyond Scotland would be talking about the rivalry with those two personalities in charge.
“When you’re employed by either club, you soon learn what it means to the supporters. I believe there’s four clubs in Britain that are institutions — Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow and Liverpool and Manchester United in England.
"I’m sure supporters of other clubs up and down the country will disagree, but that’s how I see it.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel