Keane would have been unacceptable risk to Celtic

What a lot of nonsense we’re been through since last week.  My information was that we were interested in Roy Keane but no deal had been concluded.  Martin O’Neill helpfully (cough) poured fuel on the fire by confirming he gave Roy permission to speak to Celtic, but despite several newspapers running the story that he was set to be appointed no later than today, the deal was never as close as reported.

Roy’s position on the short list was made time-critical by the fact that he was due to leave on tour with Ireland tomorrow, but talks continued in parallel with other targets.

The overwhelming reaction to yesterday’s news among the Celtic support was that we had a lucky escape.  There was a Rangers fan who used to come onto the CQN comments section after Neil Lennon’s first season in charge and taunt us that Dermott Desmond was going to sack Neil and appoint Roy Keane.  We didn’t take him seriously………

I’ve never been in the business of rubbishing Celtic players or managers before they arrive (although I’ve never backed a managerial appointment since starting CQN) but Keane represented a huge and unacceptable risk to Celtic.  We have an excellent football infrastructure and development strategy, with good coaches at all levels.  We need a technically gifted tactician, capable of dovetailing with this strategy.  Whatever Keane is, there is little evidence that he is a tactical genius, or that he’s likely to dovetail with anyone else’s strategy. The potential disruption his unique brand of focus would bring could be considerable.

Although you can expect a daily drip of ‘news’, I don’t expect any actual news in the short-term.

Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.

Shout out to Frank O’Hagan, who supported the CQN Charity Golf Day with his music three years ago. He’s playing Glasgow Uni Union on Friday night, get along if you can.
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