Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane is now the favourite to take over from Martin O’Neill as Celtic manager.

Martin O’Neill returned to Celtic Park in two separate interim spells and led Celtic to a final-day title win over Hearts and is in the running to stay on as permanent manager from next season.

However, after Robbie Keane met with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond about the job on Monday, he now seems the favourite to take over at Parkhead.

Last week, Robbie Keane quit as head coach of Hungarian side Ferencváros after 18 months and wants to take his coaching experience to a higher level, with Celtic seeming like the perfect next stop for the Irishman.

It is understood that ex-Ireland winger Jonny Hayes will step up from his position managing Celtic’s B team as one of the first-team assistants if a final deal is brokered, along with Celtic legend Scott Brown.

Hayes visited the Ferencváros training ground earlier this year, as part of his coaching badges, saying he had a ‘brilliant few days’ and ‘couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome.’

Keane also wants to include former Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass, who was his number two in Hungary, and also left the club.

Glass is also the key connector in the make-up of the support staff, being close with Scott Brown, even convincing him to leave the Hoops to join him at Aberdeen as a player-coach.

Robbie Keane may be the favourite, but given his experience with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel and the Celtic fans’ open support for Palestine, Martin O’Neill may be the fan-favourite amongst the Celtic faithful.