Roy Keane turned down offer to manage Celtic

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 07 October 2014

Roy Keane claims that he rejected the opportunity to manage Celtic in the summer because their offer did not excite him.

Roy Keane has claimed that he turned down the chance to manage Celtic in the summer because their offer did not excite him.

The Scottish champions have denied that they approached the former midfielder to replace Neil Lennon.

Keane played for Celtic towards the end of his career in 2005, but the opportunity to take charge at Celtic Park did not 'rock his boat' when he spoke to the club before the start of the season.

Writing in his latest autobiography, Keane said: "Celtic wanted me but they weren't showing how much they wanted me.

"I got in touch with Celtic's chief executive, Peter Lawwell, and asked him to give me a ballpark figure before negotiations got going. He mentioned a figure and he said: 'But that's it'.

"I had been down this road before when I signed for Celtic as a player. I felt they wanted me but they weren't showing how much they wanted me. It wasn't rocking my boat."

Celtic eventually appointed Ronny Deila as Lennon's successor in June, while Keane became assistant coach at Aston Villa.