---
title: "Celtic: Jackie McNamara would be in favour of Roy Keane appointment"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-jackie-mcnamara-would-be-in-favour-of-roy-keane-appointment/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-03-16T16:30:48Z"
modified: "2021-03-16T16:30:48Z"
---

# Celtic: Jackie McNamara would be in favour of Roy Keane appointment

**Jackie McNamara says he can see why some Celtic fans would be ‘apprehensive’ about the appointment of Roy Keane but reckons they would appreciate the ‘passion’ he would bring.**

Celtic are assessing the candidates for their next permanent manager after Neil Lennon [resigned](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55130253) at the end of February.

Keane, who [played for Celtic](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roy-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/3396) in the 2005/06 season before he retired, has emerged as a contender (via [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-next-manager-favourite-carousel-23715503)). He is also noted as [maintaining a strong interest](https://punditarena.com/football/robredmond/roy-keane-celtic-embarrassed-why/) in the Hoops as a supporter.

Although he has taken on assistant roles at Aston Villa, the Republican of Ireland and Nottingham Forest over the last decade, Keane hasn’t managed a team since leaving Ipswich Town in January 2011 (via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roy-keane/stationen/trainer/3721)).

The Irishman has worked predominantly as [a pundit for Sky Sports](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1V5smqExas) in the past couple of years.

### McNamara a fan of Roy Keane

McNamara, who made [more than 300 appearances](https://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/McNamara%2C+Jackie+Jnr+%281995-2005%29) for Celtic between 1995 and 2005, has no doubts over the 49-year-old’s credentials despite his lengthy spell away from management.

“I wouldn’t mind Roy Keane,” he told [67 Hail Hail](https://www.67hailhail.com/news/jackie-mcnamara-celtic-job-roy-keane-chris-wilder-enzo-maresca/). “I liked him as a player, like him as a pundit. He doesn’t mess about with his words.

“I think he would do a good job, I’ve no doubt about that. I would have no problems with him coming here.”

### McNamara’s message to Celtic fans

There have been concerns that Keane is out-of-touch with the modern game. His Irish compatriot David Meyler has fought back against critics who have labelled the 49-year-old a [‘dinosaur’](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/roy-keane-would-deliver-celtic-23727414).

However, McNamara believes that Celtic fans, even those sceptical at first, would come to [relish the passion](https://videocelts.com/2020/10/blogs/latest-news/the-only-positive-love-his-passion-he-gets-it-two-images-that-celtic-fans-are-flocking-to/) of the fiery ex-Manchester United captain, whose demands for high standards have led to some notable flashpoints in his [playing](https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/name/360/blog/post/1972197/headline) and [coaching](https://theathletic.com/2193752/2020/11/12/roy-keane-manager-ipswich-sunderland-sky/?source=emp_shared_article) career.

“He’d lean towards the older-school approach,” he said. “Some players don’t respond to that now.

“At the same time, the fans would want that passion. I can see why they’d be apprehensive but I think he’d bring in a strong management team that’s fresh, and he’s at the forefront of that.”

### Transfer Tavern verdict

However appealing Keane’s approach may seem, particularly to a team which has surrendered the title so meekly, this is surely too great a risk for Celtic.

Their appointment should be a calculated gamble, but this would be an emotionally-driven rather than rational call.

***In other news, [Danny Mills addresses Celtic links with one Premier League manager](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-danny-mills-addresses-david-moyes-parkhead-links/).***