Why are Clubs so Keane on Roy

Roy Keane is box office. No doubt about it. 

But as a TV pundit where his clear views and willingness to voice strong opinions contrast sharply with some of his more bland PC studio colleagues. Making him a big draw for ITV Sport’s Champions League fixtures during the winter months. Promising much too for this month’s World Cup in Brazil. Until. Well, until he changed his mind.

His commercial value alongside Martin O’Neill in the backroom of the Republic of Ireland, was viewed as a marketing coup. However in classic Keane mode the recent headlines have been more of a PR headache as the Republic’s Assistant manager has been consistently linked with other vacant managerial positions. Ranging from Celtic to the most recent Aston Villa. The type of headlines though that were giving his current gaffer some annoyance during the trip to the USA.

"I think that he has enjoyed it here immensely - that obviously plays a part in his thinking," added the Republic boss.

"In the future, he will have loads of offers, as he has had in the past and in the immediate past," O'Neill said.

"Things like this here will crop up again, with a wee bit of luck. I'm not saying Celtic will, but that type of job will.

"Everything now at this minute is on the backburner in terms of all speculation, all that type of stuff. I don't really want to continue on with this until we come back from the United States."

In opting out of his ITV commitments ahead of a World Cup is bound to bring some reminiscence of a previous walk out. Albeit in less dramatic fashion than the infamy of Saipan, where in 2002 as a Manchester United player – at the peak of his game – left the Irish squad. Undoubtedly would also have proved that vital cog to a team that made it to the World Cup quarterfinals without him. Particularly, if he delivered performances similar to Lansdowne Road on September 1, 2001 against Louis van Gaal’s Holland. 

Although it is easy to see Keane’s value as a player, it is a manager that the value seems over stated. After all promotion was secured at Sunderland in his first season, then survival in year two, with year three more tumultuous. All ending in his resignation before Christmas 2008.

His next move to Ipswich Town in April 2009 was in a two year deal that saw him sacked within seventeen months. Leaving the ream no better than when he arrived and with his nemesis Mick McCarthy following in his footsteps to work miracles. In November, amidst much fanfare, Keane became part of the Football Associations Dream Team with Martin O’Neill as replacement for the departed Giovanni Trapattoni. 

Then over the six month mark O’Neill’s deputy is being linked with other offers. Lending weight to Sir Alex Ferguson’s comment when pressed by the media about Keane’s potential pedigree.

"Young managers come along and people say this one will be England manager or boss of this club, but two years later they're not there. It's not an easy environment to come into, I wouldn't forecast anything.”

So why were Celtic FC anxious to hire the Cork man? Or now supposedly Aston Villa. Or indeed a number of other clubs who seemingly have enquired about his services. The answer. He puts bums on seats it seems.

In Glasgow the void left after the departure of the highly regarded Neil Lennon will be hard to fill and with season tickets on sale, a Champions League qualifier due. Keane would have been a commercial catch. But he also would have been under pressure straightaway. Given Lennon has left a legacy to be fulfilled at the club - that exceeded Martin O'Neill's tenure - is one that an ambitious manager might be tempted. But for the long haul.

Many others would be fearful of taking on the task as recent seasons have seen Celtic set benchmarks that will be unbeatable in the short term. Having punched well beyond their weight outside the Scottish Premier League. 

Yet with little track record beyond Sunderland, and no CV that points to building strong squads, or a coaching pedigree second to none. Or some radical new formations, it seems that box office is exclusively where Keane adds value. 

Regardless last week the FAI released a short statement confirming Keane would be staying put.

"The Football Association of Ireland [today June 2] confirmed that Roy Keane will travel with the Republic of Ireland squad to the US after he decided not to pursue the informal talks that took place with Celtic any further."

Having been first touted at Old Trafford as a possible replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane seemed on the fast track until that interview in 2005. A critical interview that caused much reaction within the club. Then at Keane’s suggestion, the players gathered to watch the interview. 

Afterwards, Keane stood up and rounded on Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Saar and assistant manager Carlos Quieroz - as Ferguson recalls in his book:

“Roy asked the players whether they had anything to say about what they had just seen. Edwin van der Sar said yes. He told Roy was out of line criticising his teammates. So Roy attacked Edwin. Who did he think he was, what did Edwin know about Manchester United? Van Nistelrooy, to his credit, piped up to support Van der Sar, so Roy rounded on Ruud. Then he started on Carlos. But he saved the best for me.” 

“‘You brought your private life into the club with your argument with Magnier,” Fergsuon wrote.

“At that point, players started walking out. What I noticed about Roy that day as I was arguing with him was that his eyes started to narrow, almost to wee black beads. It was frightening to watch. I never understood his obsession with the Rock of Gibraltar affair.

“After Roy had left, Carlos saw I was quite upset. ‘He needs to go, Carlos,’ I said. ‘One hundred per cent,’ he said. ‘Get rid of him.’”

In one interview Ferguson summarised Keane as follows: “The hardest part of Roy’s body is his tongue… It was frightening to watch. And I’m from Glasgow.”

Clearly Keane is box office on TV. The problem is everyone is chasing him for his dug out work. 

But so far there is little sign that is of equal quality.

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Celtic Europa Hopes Fading

Celtic's hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of the Europa League are still alive - but only just after losing 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.

The Hoops were no match for the Spanish side who dominated the game and sealed their progress into the next round with the win.

With Rennes holding Udinese in the other game in Group I, Celtic can still progress if they beat the Italians in their final game.

Brazilian playmaker Diego terrorised the Celtic midfield and defence throughout the game with his trickery and was a constant threat.

Celtic on the other hand will be disappointed they didn't test young Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois more, managing only two shots on target in the game.

From the starting XI which thrashed St Mirren 5-0 at home in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at the weekend, Hooper had surprisingly been dropped for midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng.

Skipper Scott Brown and Mohamed Bangura returned from respective ankle and knee injuries but could only find places on the bench.

The dropping of Hooper, who scored a hat-trick against the Buddies, was perhaps with a view to Sunday's SPL game against Dundee United at Tannadice but it still perplexed the Parkhead crowd, which was seemingly affected by the unusual kick-off time of six o'clock.

With less than a minute gone, following an Atletico corner which Hoops defender Glenn Loovens originally headed clear, Eduardo Salvio headed wide of the target from close range.

Celtic asserted themselves on the game Ki's corner from the right was headed on by Majstorovic and Samaras' close-range flick drew a reaction save from Thibaut Courtois.

Samaras looked in the mood and after motoring down the left and into the Madrid box his cut back from the by-line was cleared by Atletico defender Filipe Luis, with the visiting defence looking as rocky as their Hoops counterparts.

As the driving rain and wind returned, lone striker Stokes took a James Forrest pass and did well to set up Samaras inside a crowded Atletico penalty box but the stretching Greece striker blazed over the bar.

Atletico were slick on the counter but it was from a corner that the Spanish club took the lead through Turan.

Diego's ball from the right was headed clear by Majstorovic only for the Turkey international quickly to drive powerfully back in from 20 yards.

Celtic's stand-in skipper Beram Kayal appeared to dip his head to allow the ball to fizz straight past Forster and into the net.

As the home side wobbled Salvio and Gabi had efforts which missed the target.

In the 37th minute Hoops left-back Joe Ledley had to be replaced by Charlie Mulgrew after picking up an injury which required him to be carried off on a stretcher up the tunnel.

Wanyama was replaced by Hooper for the start of the second half with the former Scunthorpe striker sent up to support Stokes, in what was a show of intent by Lennon.

Atletico, though, started as brightly as they had begun the first period and within two minutes of the restart Gabi had surged forward before sending a shot wide of the target from the edge of the box.

At the other end, moments later, Stokes linked up with Samaras before the Irishman's low drive was saved by Courtois down at his right-hand post.

Salvio again caused problems as the Parkhead defence made a hash of clearing their lines, getting past Majstorovic and Kayal before driving the ball past Forster and across the Hoops goal, finding no takers.

On the hour mark, with Celtic getting a foothold in the game again, Kayal latched onto a Loovens header from a Mulgrew free-kick and sent a volley just wide of the target.

Moments after Courtois made a great save under the bar from Ki's whipped free-kick at the expense of a corner, Hooper had the ball in the net from close range only to see the assistant referee with his flag raised.

Forster then fumbled an in-swinging free-kick from Diego onto the bar and Celtic escaped but the Hoops keeper subsequently did better when he foiled Salvio's attempt to lob the ball over him 12 yards from goal.

Stokes was replaced by Brown in the 75th minute and the home side began pushing for the leveller, which, ultimately, failed to arrive.

Lennon Voices Celtic Frustration

Celtic manager Neil Lennon threatened to single out some of his players after a 0-0 draw with Hibernian left them 12 points behind leaders Rangers.

"A few have been consistent like Ki [Sung-Yueng] and Joe Ledley. But there are others who are happy to go along, riding on their backs," Lennon said.

"I have to speak to them and out them, basically.

"I am really angry. They let the game drift away from them and that is not acceptable."

The performance came just three days after Celtic hammered Hibs 4-1 in the Scottish Communities League Cup at Easter Road.

The draw compounded a poor day for the Hoops after Glasgow rivals Rangers stretched their lead at the top of the league with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen.

Lennon added: "I am not happy with some of them at the minute. I don't think they are giving enough in terms of the quality of their play or effort and I will speak to them individually and tell them what I think and I am looking for a response from them.

"But you ask them questions at times and you don't get answers."

Defender Mark Wilson defended his manager. "It is harsh words but that's what he thinks," he said.

"I don't like slagging my team-mates off but we have to do better.

"Football is a result-driven game but we don't want that [Lennon sacked]. We are firmly behind the manager and we love working with him and the coaching staff."

Despite Celtic's struggles, the Northern Irishman has refused to contemplate walking away from his position - even with rumours linking him to the vacant Leicester City manager's post.

"The only way I would leave the job this season is if I decide I am not taking the club forward or I am not getting the performances that the fans merit.

"Today, I am not hugely concerned about my position, it's more of a question of why I can't get these players to be as consistent as last season."

Lennon admitted that the form of Gary Hooper was a concern, the striker having failed to match last season's level following a spell out through injury.

"I don't know if it is a fitness thing," he said. "He keeps telling us he is all right, but at the minute he is not as bright or sharp as he should be.

"I don't know if it is an after-the-fact from the injury, but he looks short of what he should be.

"We were poor going forward. The ironic thing is we keep a clean sheet and we can't win the game.

"Our play in the final third was nowhere near good enough."

Dr. Reid to Step Down as Celtic Chairman

John Reid with Michel Platini

Celtic Football Club today confirmed that its current Chairman, Dr John Reid, will be stepping down as Chairman and as a director at the Company’s annual general meeting later this year. 

Ian Bankier is joining the Board as a non-executive director and as Chairman designate. 

Dr Reid commented: “It has been an honour to have been Chairman of this great club for the past four years. I will always be grateful for the support, encouragement and friendship I have received from Dermot Desmond and my colleagues on the board, the management and staff and, above all, the greatest supporters any club chairman could wish. That is something I will forever value. 

“We have come through a challenging period, but I believe we have come through stronger than ever. We now have in place a new, young talented managerial team led by Neil Lennon and capable of great things. Equally, we have recruited and shaped a new, young and talented squad whose promise for the future we have only begun to glimpse. 

“Under Peter Lawwell’s stewardship we have weathered the storm of financial recession that has so badly afflicted other clubs. Hopefully, we have provided impetus to the reform of our wider football institutions. Above all, throughout all of these challenges we stood together, more united than ever. 

“Rebuilding and renewal is a continuing process on the park. And so it must also be on our Board of Directors. 

“Over the past few years we have followed a policy of continually refreshing the Board with new, talented members. I believe this is now the right time to do likewise with the chairmanship, to lead us through the next stage of our development from the next AGM, and ensuring an orderly and smooth transition. 

“I have great pleasure in welcoming Ian Bankier, who joins the Board as our new Director and Chairman designate. Chairman of Celtic is a demanding role but Ian is someone of considerable experience and achievement. He will be a formidable addition to the Board and will greatly strengthen our development over the coming years.

“For my part, I will always be grateful for the opportunity and the comradeship which I have received. I will leave the Chairman’s post as I joined it, a Celtic supporter first and last.” 

Mr Bankier said: “I was brought up in Glasgow, and have spent much of my career here and in Scotland. As a long-standing supporter of the Club I feel very privileged to be invited not only to join the Board of Celtic, but later to become its Chairman. 

“I am looking forward to it tremendously and hope that my own contributions to the future success and well-being of this extraordinary Club will be as positive and beneficial as those of my predecessors.”

Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive, said: “John has been an extremely committed and enthusiastic Chairman, and is a true Celtic supporter. The entire Celtic executive, management and staff acknowledge the contribution he has made to the Club over the last four years. 

“We are looking forward to working with Ian as he settles into his new role as a director and Chairman designate.”

Neil Lennon added: “I have benefitted enormously from an excellent relationship with the Chairman in my short time as Celtic manager. He has provided me with great support and valuable guidance through some very difficult times. 

“He has been a passionate advocate for the Club and the team, and we all wish him well.” 

Ian Bankier (59) is Executive Chairman of Glenkeir Whiskies Limited, a company he substantially owns. Glenkeir operates The Whisky Shop chain which is the UK’s largest specialist retailer of whiskies. 

He has been involved in the Scotch whisky industry for 15 years having been Managing Director of Burn Stewart Distillers PLC and Chief Executive of CL World Brands Limited.

Mr Bankier’s formative career was as a solicitor and he was a partner of McGrigors for 15 years where he specialised in corporate law.