Celtic's Managerial Search: Keane in Contention as Desmond Evaluates O'Neill

Celtic’s managerial search has moved up a gear, with Robbie Keane emerging as a serious contender to take permanent charge at Parkhead.

The former Republic of Ireland striker has held what have been described as constructive talks with the Scottish champions over their vacancy, and those conversations are expected to continue this week. Keane, who enjoyed a popular loan spell as a player at Celtic in 2010, is now firmly in the frame as the club look to reset after a turbulent spell.

Behind the scenes, the influence of principal shareholder Dermot Desmond remains decisive. He is set to speak with interim manager Martin O'Neill to gauge whether the veteran coach is willing to stay on in some capacity once a new head coach is appointed. O’Neill, a title‑winning icon from his first spell in Glasgow, has steadied the ship on a temporary basis; now Celtic must decide how much of that experience they want to bake into the next era.

While Celtic wrestle with big-picture decisions at the top, Rangers are pushing ahead with squad surgery of their own.

Across the city, Rangers have opened direct talks with the representatives of Hammarby right-back Hampus Skoglund. The Swede still has three years remaining on his deal with the Stockholm club, so any move would require Rangers to pay a fee rather than hunt a bargain. Addressing the right side of defence has been a recurring theme at Ibrox, and Skoglund has now moved to the front of that conversation as they look to add energy and reliability in a key position.

West Ham United, preparing for life back in the Championship, have turned their gaze firmly towards Scotland.

The London club have made an initial enquiry for Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan, 23, as they begin to shape a squad built for the grind of a promotion push. Mulligan’s profile – young, energetic, with room to grow – fits the kind of recruitment West Ham need if they are to rebuild quickly and with some resale value.

Their scouting trips north of the border do not stop there. West Ham are also keeping tabs on Celtic centre-forward Callum Osmand, a 20-year-old viewed as one of the brighter attacking prospects in the Scottish game. At this stage, though, Celtic are understood to be highly reluctant to cash in. With a new manager incoming and a squad likely to be reshaped, Osmand looks more like a player to build around than to sell.

So the summer picture is already forming. Celtic are closing in on a new direction in the dugout, Rangers are trying to lock down a long-term solution at right-back, and West Ham are testing Scottish resolve in the transfer market. The only question now is which of these early moves will actually land before the real chaos of the window begins.