Celtic should appoint Roy Keane as Ronny Deila's successor, says Charlie Nicholas
Wednesday 20 April 2016 20:28, UK
Roy Keane is the ideal man to succeed Ronny Deila at Celtic, according to Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas.
On Wednesday, Deila confirmed he would end his two-year association with the Hoops next month, despite the club being on course to secure the Scottish Premiership title for the second time during his reign.
The Norwegian, who was appointed as Neil Lennon's successor in June 2014, had refused to comment on his future in the immediate aftermath of Celtic's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Deila has come under fire from certain sections of the Celtic support this season, with the club's failures in European competition a particular reason for their disharmony.
Keane, currently the No 2 to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, has not held a full managerial position since leaving Ipswich Town in 2011, but Nicholas believes the former Manchester United midfielder would bring a "different energy" to Celtic if appointed as the club's new manager.
"I would like Roy Keane to get it because I think he would sort a lot of people out," Nicholas told Sky Sports Now. "He would clear the decks. I am not saying he would be the greatest tactician, but I think he would bring a different drive and a different energy to the club.
"He would be the type I'd be looking at to take on people, give him the responsibility and let him get on with it. He would be my ideal choice, I think there are others out there, but I am not convinced the owner or chief executive will step aside and say this is the way it has got to be because there's an issue with the club's budget."
Nicholas also questioned the timing of Deila's announcement and fears the uncertainty over the appointment of his successor could derail Celtic's push towards a fifth successive league title.
Celtic are eight points clear of second-placed Aberdeen with five matches remaining.
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"I think the timing is awful," Nicholas added. "I think to say it is more about the club than him, that will backfire on him today, I think it is about him because he is the one that has made the statement.
"This is like Manuel Pellegrini when he announced he was leaving. I said at the time there's a certain aspect of what you keep in house. Celtic are going for the title and Ronny has suffered along with the board and the people who run the club who are not doing their job right at the minute.
"It is a club that has gone stale. For Ronny to announce this now, it will not please a lot of people, they expected it, but you keep it in house.
"You get the title wrapped up, then the business is done and you say well done, congratulations and good luck in the future. But if they were to slip up this weekend and Aberdeen catch them, it would be an absolute mess, complete mayhem.
"It will still be about Ronny Deila because he is the story today."
