Celtic ‘have not entered’ contract talks with Keane

CELTIC insist they are not in negotiations with Roy Keane over a possible move for the former Manchester United midfielder.

The 34-year-old left Old Trafford last week when his contract was brought to a premature end.

Celtic Park is known to be a favoured destination for the former Republic of Ireland captain and the Hoops quickly opened the door for possible discussions on Friday.

But the club maintain any formal negotiations have not started.

A Celtic spokesman said: “Celtic have not, at this point, entered into contract negotiations with Roy Keane or his representatives.”

Portsmouth and West Ham are the latest clubs to have voiced an interest in Keane. Manchester City, West Brom, Bolton and Wigan are also monitoring the situation.

Hammers boss Alan Pardew said: “I haven’t closed the door on bringing a player of his stature to this club because that is the sort of player we want to look at.

“We have a great base here of young players, a good squad and a good spirit and to jump to the next level we need to bring in real quality players.”

Earlier, Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie also said the Fratton Park club were looking at the possibility of signing the controversial midfielder.

“If we could bring Roy Keane to Pompey, it would be fantastic, but in what role I don’t know,” he said.

“However, we are in a queue of about 40 clubs who have registered an interest with his lawyer.

“We would like to talk to him if he wants to talk to us. I am unsure whether Roy Keane wants to stay as a player or get into coaching.”

But Celtic remain favourites to land Keane although Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell questions the wisdom of bringing the former Nottingham Forest man to Glasgow.

The Hoops moved into a two-point lead over Hearts in the Scottish Premier League at the weekend, opening up a 15-point gap on rivals Rangers.

Now boss Gordon Strachan must decide if he should risk the current success he is enjoying by bringing in Keane, who has never hidden his desire to play for Celtic.

Gemmell said: “There is no doubt Roy Keane has been a great servant for Manchester United. But he has been prone to injuries recently and that has to be a major concern for anyone looking to sign him.

“I am like everyone else in that I do not know what the exact situation is with Celtic and Keane at the moment. But only Gordon Strachan is in a position to say whether or not the team needs him.

“If he decides they do, then it can surely only be in the short term until the end of the season.

“But he has a settled team and dressing room. I don’t know if he will want to jeopardise that.”

Gemmell is also concerned that, at 34, Keane, who has not played since mid-September after breaking a bone in his foot, would not be a worthwhile addition to the Celtic squad.

“He has upset the Irish camp before and eventually upset people at United, so how can we say if it would be a good move?” he asked.

“But he is still a great footballer and having watched him for many years, I know what he can bring to the team.

“It is just a matter of opinion whether we need it.”