Celtic have made gradual progress in their managerial search this week, holding constructive talks with Robbie Keane while the Martin O'Neill situation remains unresolved. The 74-year-old club legend saved the Hoops twice last season, delivering a dramatic league title triumph that Scottish football hadn't witnessed before. His potential return on a short-term deal could provide stability during a major squad rebuild ahead of Champions League qualifiers.

O'Neill hasn't committed to a full campaign, leaving Celtic to explore alternatives while keeping him involved in some capacity. Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond favors Keane, who has already assembled his backroom team featuring Stephen Glass, Scott Brown and Jonny Hayes. Despite polarizing opinions over his Maccabi Tel Aviv tenure during Middle East conflicts, Keane brings recent success after winning league titles in Hungary and Israel.

Craig Bellamy remains under consideration despite reaffirming his commitment to Wales ahead of Euro 2028. Roberto Martinez represents an outside option given Portugal's World Cup commitments this summer. Celtic aim to appoint someone before pre-season for the crucial Champions League play-off preparations, though the timeline grows tighter with each passing day.

The club's extensive restructuring extends beyond the manager role, requiring appointments for chairman, head of football, and recruitment positions. This vacancy represents more than tactical decisions—it's about Celtic's direction amid growing competition from Hearts and Rangers in Scottish football.