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Dermot Desmond has reportedly initiated discussions with Robbie Keane as Celtic intensifies its search for a new permanent manager.

The former Republic of Ireland striker is believed to be in a two-man race with veteran coach Martin O’Neill to take charge of the Hoops ahead of the upcoming season.

Desmond, who is Celtic’s largest shareholder, has already met with Keane regarding the managerial vacancy and is expected to hold further talks this week with O’Neill.

Over the past year, Celtic have experienced considerable managerial instability, with O’Neill being called upon twice to take interim charge following the exits of Brendan Rodgers in October and Wilfried Nancy in January.

Supported by assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, the 74-year-old guided the team through eight matches on a temporary basis last autumn before returning in January to steer Celtic through to the end of the season. His efforts, culminating in a domestic double, have further elevated his standing among the Celtic faithful.

Although it was widely assumed that O’Neill would vacate his role this summer to allow a new manager to take over, the Parkhead leadership continues to consider him a viable option.

Whether O’Neill wishes to continue in the role will likely determine the direction the club takes next.

After leading Celtic to a domestic cup double, O’Neill admitted that the dramatic title race, where his side edged Hearts on the final day, had ‘taken its toll’ on him. Nevertheless, he has not completely ruled out staying on as manager.

Meanwhile, Robbie Keane, who stepped down as Ferencvaros head coach last month, has emerged as the most likely alternative to O’Neill. However, his potential appointment has not been warmly received by all sections of the Celtic fan base.

The 45-year-old, who scored 16 goals during a successful loan spell with Celtic in early 2010, faced significant backlash in Ireland for remaining in Israel as manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv after the Gaza conflict erupted in 2023.

Given Celtic supporters’ strong traditional sympathy toward Palestine, the group Celtic Fans For The Liberation Of Palestine (CFLP) issued a statement on Tuesday opposing Keane’s possible appointment. The group said that Keane’s ‘decision to manage Maccabi Tel Aviv during the genocide in Gaza is impossible to ignore’ and warned that ‘at a time when Celtic needs unity and shared purpose, such an appointment would be deeply divisive.’

Keane has just completed a 17-month spell in charge of Ferencvaros, where he captured the league title in his debut season before finishing second to Gyor in his only full campaign.

During his tenure, the former Wolves, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool forward took the Hungarian side to the last 16 of the Europa League, where they were eliminated by Braga in March.

Before his time in Tel Aviv, Keane had a short managerial stint with Indian Super League club ATK in 2018, followed by assistant coaching roles with Middlesbrough, the Republic of Ireland national team, and Leeds United.

Celtic are set to begin their William Hill Premiership title defence in early August, followed by the first leg of their crucial Champions League play-off on August 18, with the return leg scheduled the following week.