The Irishman has been touted as the leading candidate to take over the Celtic Park hot seat in the summer
Robbie Keane continues impressing with Ferencvaros(Image: Getty Images)
Boss Robbie Keane has caught the eye of a Celtic insider in Ferencvaros as the boss unleashed on league bosses after reaching the Magyar Kupa final.
The Irishman has been touted as the frontrunner to become the next Celtic boss in the summer. The former Hoops’ striker was previously linked with the Parkhead hot seat before Wilfried Nancy’s ill-fated tenure.
His eight-game spell saw Martin O’Neill sent an SOS for a second time this season to steady the ship, but the 74-year-old is expected to end his time in the dugout his summer.
With just five games remaining in the Scottish Premiership, attention of fans is turning what comes after the O’Neill era.
Keane has conceded he was open to leaving Ferencvaros – but only if the switch could take him to a “higher level.”
With the club involved in a title fight for with ETO Gyor – who are three points clear of the Keane’s defending champions – the Tottenham and Inter legend steered the club to cup semi-final win over their rivals in a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win.
The game was taken in by former Hoops’ winger Jonny Hayes, who shared a snap inside the Groupama Arena to Instagram.
The current Celtic B team coach revealed he was at the game, hours after Parkhead icon Scott Brown also shared a snap from Budapest to social media.
After reaching the cup final, Keane unleashed his fury over Hungarian league rules – which he believes is hampering the club’s bid for a domestic double, having also reached the Europa League last 16 this term.
It has been ruled that all clubs in the league must have five Hungarian players on the field at any one given time, with the law introduced in an effort to strengthen the national team. Ferencvaros currently have almost 20 foreign players on their books.
The unhappy boss said: “We started very well, but the guys were very tired, Cadu, Cebrail [Makreckis] and Callum [O’Dowda] too.
“Their physicality suffers because these players can’t play enough in the league. Everyone was very tired.
“I’m happy with the win and progressing. Everyone played their part in today’s game, I couldn’t single anyone out, the team fought for each other.
“It’s certain that there will be changes for the weekend’s league game against Paks. We have no other option.”
The comments sparked a backlash from Ferencvaros fans online. One commented: “The Hungarian rule is always his excuse for bad performances”. Another added: “Explanations and excuses, thousands, instead of good tactics.”
Another hoped for an exit for Keane: “The general public expected us to beat Gyor now, but instead we managed to reach the final with a lot of luck.
“Thank you for last year’s championship title, this year’s international cup performance, and the possible title this year but I hope Celtic or Spurs will get him.”
