Celtic supporters group releases telling statement in opposition to Robbie Keane hiring
A Celtic supporters group has released a lengthy statement in opposition to the club’s expected hiring of Robbie Keane.
Ireland’s record goalscorer is set to take the reins in Glasgow after a reported meeting took place between the club’s owner, Dermot Desmond and himself on Monday.
The meeting took place with an eye on Keane replacing Martin O’Neill, who secured the club its 55th Scottish League Title after beating Hearts 3-1 on the final day.
Roy Keane. Pic: Miguel RIOPA / AFP via Getty Images
Keane is without a job after his shock resignation from Ferencvaros at the end of the Hungarian season.
In his time at Budapest, he won one league and cup as he built up quite the resume for himself in European football.
However, it’s his time at the previous job that has caught the ire of a section of Hoops fans.
Keane poses with the scarf of Maccabi Tel Aviv football club, on June 27, 2023 in Tel Aviv, after signing a two-year head coach contract with the Israeli team. Pic: JACK GUEZ / AFP
Supporter group Celtic Fans For The Liberation Of Palestine released a statement where they categorically rejected the proposed hiring of Keane, highlighting his time in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv as the reason why they reject him.
‘As Celtic fans, we oppose the proposed appointment of Robbie Keane as manager of Celtic Football Club,’ the statement began.
‘Celtic supporters have a long and proud history of solidarity with the Palestinian people. For us, Robbie Keane’s decision to manage Maccabi Tel Aviv during the genocide in Gaza is impossible to ignore.’
The green brigade wave a Palestinian flag during the UEFA Champions League game. Pic: Visionhaus/Getty Images
Keane managed Macabbi Tel Aviv from 2023 to 2024, controversially choosing to stay on as manager as the conflict escalated after the October 7 attacks.
The statement continued: ‘To choose to manage a club in Israel while, less than 40 miles away, the same country was using indiscriminate weapons of mass murder against a defenceless people is unconscionable.
‘Celtic was founded by a community shaped by the legacy of genocide, displacement and famine. Our club’s roots lie in solidarity with those who suffered injustice and oppression. We cannot forget where we came from, nor turn our backs on those facing genocide today.
‘At a time when Celtic requires unity and collective purpose, this appointment would be deeply divisive among the support. It would also represent a predictable and uninspiring choice at a moment when greater ambition is needed.
‘We urge the Celtic board to listen to supporters’ concerns and reconsider this appointment’.
With the way protests have gone over the past season, Desmond and the board will likely ignore it, and if they see fit, hire Keane. And even if Keane has done the hard yards abroad and earned an opportunity to get a big job, his past decisions may come back to bite him.
If hired, Keane is expected to bring back club legend Scott Brown and former Republic of Ireland International Jonny Hayes as part of his backroom team. It’s shaping up to be another tense season for The Hoops.
