Robbie Keane is once again being tipped as a potential candidate to succeed Brendan Rodgers at Celtic, with the former Hoops striker backed as a 'strong candidate' by former Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie.
Dowie believes Keane's managerial career should not be defined by his previous spell in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, and instead feels his credentials as a coach should be the determining factor if Celtic consider him again. Speaking via Yahoo Sports, Dowie said: "In terms of Robbie Keane I think the fan opposition to Keane stems from where he has managed previously, which I understand. Keane certainly has more experience internationally, but Damien Duff has done a fantastic job wherever he's been. Both would be strong candidates, but it's hard to say for sure."
Celtic have been searching for a new manager since Rodgers left the club, with former Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill taking over on a short-term basis. However, with O'Neill's tenure set to expire soon, the club is likely to be looking for a more long-term solution, and Keane's name is once again being mentioned as a potential candidate.
Keane has been working as the head coach of Hungarian side Ferencvaros, where he has experience in managing a team in a competitive league. His previous links with Celtic have been contentious, with some fans objecting to his time in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv. However, Dowie believes that Keane's experience and managerial credentials should be taken into account when considering his suitability for the job.
Duff, who has managed teams such as Shelbourne and Dundalk, is also being touted as a potential candidate for the Celtic job. Both Keane and Duff possess the necessary mentality to manage a club of Celtic's stature, according to Dowie. "You need a specific mindset to manage a club of that stature, and both Duff and Keane certainly possess that mentality," he said.
The decision on who will succeed Rodgers as Celtic manager is likely to be a complex one, with the club's board of directors having to weigh up a number of different factors. However, with O'Neill's tenure set to expire soon, the club is likely to be looking to make a decision on a new manager in the coming weeks.
As Celtic continue their search for a new manager, fans will be eagerly awaiting news on who will be taking the reins at the club. Will it be Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, or someone else entirely? Only time will tell.
Source: Yahoo Sports