Roy Keane makes one thing clear about Celtic Park cameo as he fires firm warning to Kieran McKenna

Roy Keane says he’d never attend a game with a view to replacing one of the managers in charge – and warned Celtic-linked Kieran McKenna against doing the same.

The Manchester United legend, who played for Celtic towards the tail end of his career, set tongues wagging when he was spotted watching the Hoops’ 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead earlier today.

It was their third straight defeat in all competitions and their second derby loss in eight days, with the feeling now growing it could be O’Neill’s last appearance in the dugout.

Keane, previously manager of Sunderland and Ipswich, is highly thought of by Celtic fans and had many putting two and two together, believing he could be one of the contenders to step in and replace O’Neill if he does walk during the international break.

O’Neill and Keane are good friends, having worked together previously in the Ireland and Nottingham Forest management teams.

And speaking on the most recent Stick to Football podcast, Keane made it abundantly clear he’d never attend a game with the ulterior motive of replacing a manager.

 

Keane and the other pundits on the show were discussing former Ipswich boss McKenna, who was spotted in the stands during Tottenham’s draw with Everton.

 

Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi finds himself under severe pressure after a dire start to the season and McKenna has been heavily tipped as one of the names who could replace him if the axe falls.

But Keane believes his appearance was no more than a coincidence.

 

And if he was ‘up to no good’, he admitted he’d be having a few choice words in his ear.

 

“I wouldn’t go and watch a manager under pressure,” Keane said. “I know plenty who do that… I’ll tell you who when we’re off air.

“But I don’t think he’s looking at (getting the Tottenham job). I wouldn’t have thought so.”

 

Ian Wright then pressed Keane, asking why McKenna picked that game in particular to go to if he didn’t have designs on the job.