Keane rules out Celtic return

ROY KEANE has ruled out a return to Celtic as their new manager.

The Ipswich boss ended his playing career at Parkhead four years ago following a short spell in Glasgow and is on the bookmakers’ shortlist to replace Tony Mowbray, who departed last month.

However, the former Manchester United star has distanced himself from the speculation, declaring: “Be very surprised if you see me walking through the gates at Celtic Park – except if it’s for the Old Firm game on Tuesday week because I might come up for that one.”

Keane believes Neil Lennon is doing a fine job as interim boss even though the Hoops were knocked out of the Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final by First Division side Ross County.

He said: “Celtic are a bigger club than anyone will ever understand unless they have been involved there.

“I was there for six months and I had my problems with a few injuries, plus the manager didn’t really pick me. The sheer size of the club is staggering.

“Neil has made that point and I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully they will get the right manager and I have to say Lenny is doing well.

“He’s won four league games but I know they lost in the Scottish Cup. They’re having disappointments but that’s when you find out who the real supporters are.”

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has also been linked with the Celtic job but he insists he wants to stay at the City Ground next season.

He said: “The fact I’ve signed a contract tells you I want to be here. The fact I have two years left tells you I have work to do.”

Meanwhile Lennon has blasted Henry McLeish’s report on Scottish football, claiming soccer academies do not work and facilities are “not the be all and end all”.

Among a list of recommendations in the detailed document was a call for more than £400million investment on facilities and the creation of ‘20 Schools of Football’.

Lennon took time out from preparing for the clash with Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow to shoot down much of the report.

“The academies are not working,” Lennon said. “We haven’t produced a regular first-team player since (Aiden) McGeady, probably, although we have a good crop of players coming through.

“I’d like to go back to the system when I was growing up. There were no academies in those days and Scotland, England and Ireland were still producing top-quality players.”