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Martin O'Neill: Roy Keane and Celtic wouldn't be a bad fit

Martin O'Neill is unsure whether his Ireland assistant Roy Keane will still be part of the setup ...



Martin O'Neill: Roy Keane...
Soccer

Martin O'Neill: Roy Keane and Celtic wouldn't be a bad fit

Martin O'Neill is unsure whether his Ireland assistant Roy Keane will still be part of the setup after Euro 2016.

Keane has been regularly linked to the upcoming vacancy at Celtic, although there has been no concrete evidence that the former Manchester United and Ireland captain is officially among those being considered to replace Ronny Deila.

O'Neill was speaking at today's 35-man squad announcement for Ireland's pre-Euro 2016 friendlies against Netherlands on May 27th. 

"I wouldn't know really," he responded when asked about the speculation surrounding Keane.

"I certainly wouldn't know that and anything can happen between now and the start of next season. Who can say? I think Roy will want to go in and manage in his own right and make the decisions which is important. He's been used to making a lot of decisions throughout his life, both as a player, captain and manager. So I think this has been very good for him.

"Will he want to manage on his own again? Absolutely! And if an opportunity comes up - a really good opportunity - then I will wish him all the best."

O'Neill also added that Keane and Celtic is "not a bad fit", with Celtic being "one of the great clubs in the world" and Keane as "one of the great players".

"But as Roy said, you still have to be asked to do it and so far I'm not so sure that's been the case."

Martin O'Neill ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

O'Neill also admitted that fitness concerns over a clutch of key players including Marc Wilson is a slight worry.

"It is a concern. A few players haven't played that much. I know that Wilson, who has been an integral part of proceedings hasn't played for quite some considerable time. I think he feels he might get fit and I think he's going to go and see a specialist again on Friday but while he'll not play again obviously for Stoke, we'll have a little look at it," said O'Neill, although he is also very confident over Seamus Coleman's fitness even if the Everton full-back is forced to miss the Netherlands friendly. He is also unconcerned by the lack of game-time for John O'Shea at Sunderland of late.

O'Neill also confirmed that he plans to narrow the squad down after the Dutch match and before the following friendly against Belarus in Cork.

One of the surprise inclusions in the 35-man panel named today is Oxford and Ireland under-21 left-winger Callum O'Dowda, who is the only uncapped player in the squad.

"I went down to watch the under-21 game against Italy and I thought he did very well in the match. He followed it up with an excellent performance in the Paint Trophy Final for Oxford. I like him, I think he's got ability. Can he play higher? Absolutely. Just like the way I brought in young Jack Byrne, I think it would be nice for him to come in," O'Neill said.

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