Ian Dowie Supports Robbie Keane as Potential Celtic Manager

Robbie Keane’s name is back in the Celtic conversation, and this time it comes with a firm endorsement from Ian Dowie.

Keane, the former Ferencvaros manager and Republic of Ireland legend, was once on the brink of taking the reins at Celtic before Dermot Desmond turned instead to Martin O’Neill on a short-term basis. That sliding-doors moment has lingered in the background, but so has something else: resistance from sections of the support.

The opposition wasn’t about tactics or touchline demeanour. It stemmed from Keane’s previous job at Maccabi Tel Aviv and the political context around working in Israel. Protests from fans helped derail his chances of landing the role permanently.

Dowie believes that has gone too far.

Speaking to BettingLounge, the former Crystal Palace manager argued that Keane is being judged on everything but the thing that should matter most.

“In terms of Robbie Keane, I think the fan opposition to Keane stems from where he has managed previously, which I understand,” Dowie said. “I think he should really just be judged on his footballing ability.”

That is the crux of his defence: strip away the noise, look at the coach.

Dowie also pushed another Irish contender into the frame – Damien Duff. The former winger, who has quietly built a strong reputation in the dugout, is viewed by Dowie as every bit as credible a candidate for the Glasgow hot seat.

“Keane certainly has more experience internationally, but Damien Duff has done a fantastic job wherever he's been,” he said. “Both would be strong candidates, but it's hard to say for sure.”

This is Celtic, though. The job is not just about a training ground plan and a matchday game script. It is about living inside one of the most pressurised environments in British football.

“Celtic is a massive club, they, along with Rangers, are huge entities,” Dowie said. “You need a specific mindset to manage a club of that stature, and both Duff and Keane certainly possess that mentality.”

That line matters. Mentality. Not just method.

Dowie senses Keane may even be edging ahead in the hypothetical race.

“I think Keane might be the favourite right now, but I don't think he's a political person,” he added. “He's been dragged into the narrative a bit.”

Dragged, not driving it. That’s Dowie’s view: a coach caught in a storm he didn’t create, defined by a job on his CV rather than the work he has done on the pitch.

Whether Celtic’s hierarchy – and more importantly, the support – are ready to separate politics from the technical area is another question entirely.