Ronny Deila's time as Celtic manager finished yesterday with a 7-0 win against Motherwell.
The game saw 16-year-old Jack Aitchison become Celtic's youngest ever player and youngest ever scorer.
The Norwegian also left the parting gift of Celtic's fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title.
That Deila would be leaving Parkhead was known weeks ago. Who his successor will be has been the subject of much speculation with Brendan Rodgers, David Moyes and of course Roy Keane being rumoured as candidates. Currently those three are tightly bunched in terms of the odds.
Prior to his final game, speaking to the Scottish Mail On Sunday, the departing Celtic boss gave Keane his backing.
Roy Keane is a legend in Norway.
There are so many Manchester United fans there and if you ask them about Roy Keane, he is a star if he comes to Norway. I have a cousin who would die for him. He just loves him.
Deila was not first choice for the Celtic hierarchy when he was appointed two years ago. The man they actually wanted was Keane.
Deila believes the current Ireland assistant manager has what it takes to succeed at the club.
So much of managing in this job is about personality because you need to be a figurehead, too. You need a strong personality. (Keane) will handle all that pressure, to be a very good leader.
Also, I think it’s important in this kind of job to have experience. It makes things easier. Having said that, there aren’t many places you get experiences like this. If the new manager will call, I’ll tell him what I think about things and help him if I can.
But Roy Keane is Irish, of course. He has played at Celtic, he knows what the club’s about, so he has a skill-set that could be good in the job.
I just thought he was a fantastic football player. I loved watching him playing football and he’s a strong character. But, as a manager, I don’t know him and don’t know him as a person. I’d never spoken with him before I met him at Everton some months ago.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
