Quinn: Keane wages too high for Celtic

CELTIC chairman Brian Quinn maintains there has been no contact from Roy Keane over the possibility of playing for the Bhoys, but indicated the Scottish club would not be prepared to break their wages structure to sign him.

The 34-year-old, who is reportedly also interesting Wigan, Bolton and Portsmouth, left Manchester United by ‘mutual consent’ after 12 years of service at Old Trafford, but which ended in reports of dressing room discontent.

Keane has previously spoken of his desire to end his career with Celtic, and the Glasgow giants would be only to happy to open talks over the prospect of a move.

However, a stumbling block could well be the midfielder’s reported £90,000-a-week pay packet.

Quinn reflected: “There are two separate issues. One is a footballing issue, whether Roy would fit into Gordon’s plans and the formation - because the team is playing very well just now and is very settled.

“But that is Gordon’s judgement and we have to take that into account. The other is the business side, and we would have to wait and see what is proposed.

“We have heard nothing from Roy Keane, nothing from his representatives and until you see what the proposal is, it is premature to offer a view on that.”

On Keane’s reported wages which he commanded at Old Trafford, Quinn stressed: “That is a figure which is just out of the question as far as we are concerned.

“We have a wages policy and what we do for individual players is a matter between the player and the club.”

Quinn added: “We would have to see what he is proposing, and indeed if he is looking for something at Celtic.

“Although Roy talked a few weeks ago about leaving Manchester United and playing for another club, as far as I could see, the word Celtic did not pass his lips and I don’t know what is on his mind, so we will have to what he intended.”

Quinn also insisted as yet he had not spoken with Strachan about the possibility of bringing Keane to the club.

“I saw Gordon yesterday, and he was quite relaxed and looking forward to the game,” he said. “But we did not talk about Roy Keane at all.”

Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has not ruled out trying to persuade Keane to cross the divide and move to Eastlands.

“I think this club would like to be associated with good players and Roy Keane falls into that category,” said Pearce, who spent three years with the tough-tackling midfielder at the City Ground in the early 1990s.

“Every club in the world at the moment has their name attached to Roy Keane. I think the fact we are in a city where he lives and works means we might be attached as well.

“As long as this club continues to get attached to good players I think that is a good thing. We are certainly looking at players who might improve our team - we always are and always will be and Roy is a good player, one who can improve our team.

“He is a good player and that is borne out by the number of teams who have been associated with a player who has only been released by his club for a couple of days.

“He is a big, big footballer, he has got leadership qualities in abundance, he’s got ability in abundance and wherever Roy goes to play his football now I’m sure he will be a credit to that side he joins.”

On whether City fans would accept a player who has so proudly worn the red of their bitterest rivals for so long, Pearce was adamant.

“Andy Cole has done it, not a problem. As long as they give 110% effort for that club the British public are very forgiving,” he said.