Celtic have been tipped to make a ‘fantastic’ managerial appointment as Martin O’Neill’s second interim stint, and third spell in the Parkhead dugout overall, slowly comes to an end.

Celtic cast one eye on future as Old Firm showdown lingers

Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Celtic Park is one of the most consequential fixtures the Scottish Premiership has produced in years.

O’Neill’s Celtic sit three points behind Hearts with three games remaining, and a win over Rangers on Sunday keeps their title dream alive, while anything less effectively hands the Edinburgh club their first championship since 1960.

For the visitors, the title is an outside prospect at best, but Rangers arrive knowing that a win could deal an almighty blow to Celtic’s chances of defending yet another Scottish crown.

History, European money, and the small matter of bragging rights — everything is on the line this weekend.

Hearts, who beat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle earlier this week to extend their lead at the top, face Motherwell on Saturday before Celtic’s chance to respond.

If Hearts win and Celtic drop points on Sunday, the title will be heading to Edinburgh.

O’Neill’s side simply cannot afford to slip.

The manager himself is preparing to depart Glasgow, as Celtic attempt to identify O’Neill’s long-term heir.

The 74-year-old took charge on an emergency basis following Brendan Rodgers’ departure, and again when the Wilfried Nancy disasterclass happened, and has done a solid job.

However, his contract expires this summer and a permanent successor must be identified regardless of how the title race ends.

Among the many names attached to the vacancy, one continues to surface with growing credibility, and now one of Scottish football’s most familiar pundit voices has added his endorsement to the cause.

Celtic backed to make “fantastic” Robbie Keane appointment after Tottenham snub

Don Hutchison, the former Scotland international who now covers European football for ESPN, has been watching Robbie Keane’s work at Ferencvaros closely, and has come away impressed.

Crucially, Hutchison did not simply offer polite praise. He went further, urging Celtic to place Keane at the very top of the managerial shortlist.

“I’ve watched his team a lot,” Hutchison told BestBettingSites, via The Daily Record.

“I commentate on the Europa League and Conference League, and Ferencvaros have done really well. He plays good football. I think one day he’ll want to come back.

“He got linked with the Spurs job, didn’t he? When Postecoglou was leaving, or just before, and I think Spurs were angling to give him a contract at the end of the season. He said no — and why would he?

“If he comes back, he’s going to want years on his contract so he can put a project in and build.

“So I think if Martin O’Neill left, Robbie Keane would be a fantastic signing. I think he’d probably be the number one candidate, actually.”

Keane, 45, has spoken openly about his ambition to manage at the highest possible level, describing himself as someone who will not be content to stand still, and his work in Budapest has been substantial.

He won the Hungarian title in his debut season and guided Ferencvaros to their first European knockout stage football in years, including a high-profile victory over Rangers earlier in the campaign.

Former Celtic captain Scott Brown visited Budapest recently to watch Ferencvaros in a Hungarian Cup semi-final, a trip that immediately set tongues wagging in Scottish football circles.

The Dermot Desmond connection adds a dimension no other candidate can match.

The Celtic major shareholder personally funded Keane’s loan move to Parkhead back in 2010 — a relationship that has endured well beyond the six months the Irishman spent in Glasgow.

Hutchison’s point about contract length is pertinent.

Keane has made clear he would only return to management at a bigger club on his own terms — years of security, genuine investment, and the freedom to build something.

Reports suggest the Irishman had an offer to manage Spurs on an interim basis, but wasn’t keen on the prospect of a short-term stint, so Celtic know what they must do to entice Keane.