Celtic fans oppose Keane as potential manager after Israel role

Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane played for Celtic but his link to manager’s job has met with criticism.Celtic’s interest in appointing Robbie Keane as their new manager has provoked anger among the club’s pro-Palestinian fans after his previous role with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.Keane is the leading contender to take charge of the Scottish champions after reportedly entering talks with the club’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Sooryavanshi in line for T20 call as India fast-track 15-year-old to toplist 2 of 4Russia’s Andreeva beats Ukraine’s Kostyuk in no-handshake French Open semilist 3 of 4Sabalenka ‘mentally off track’ as French Open exit made her want to ‘quit’list 4 of 4History-making qualifier Chwalinska sets up Andreeva French Open finalend of listKeane, who is Ireland’s record goalscorer, enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Celtic in 2010.But his decision to stay in Israel after the conflict in Gaza started caused criticism in Ireland and turned a vocal section of the Celtic fan base against him.Celtic supporters have displayed Palestinian flags at matches throughout the conflict.Now, graffiti and banners opposing the prospect of Keane becoming manager have appeared outside Celtic’s stadium in Glasgow.A statement from a group called ‘Celtic-fans-for-the-liberation-of-Palestine" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="140925" data-entity-type="organization">Celtic Fans for the Liberation of Palestine’ said hiring Keane “would be deeply divisive among the support”.The ‘Celtic" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="140926" data-entity-type="organization">North Curve Celtic’ account on X has published a list of 67 groups that endorsed the statement.“Celtic supporters have a long and proud history of solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the statement said.“For us, Robbie Keane’s decision to manage Maccabi Tel Aviv during the genocide in Gaza is impossible to ignore.“To choose to manage a club in Israel while, less than 40 miles away, the same country was using indiscriminate weapons of mass murder against defenceless people is unconscionable.“Celtic was founded by a community shaped by the legacy of genocide, displacement and famine. Our club’s roots lie in solidarity with those who suffered injustice and oppression.