Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has revealed that the club came incredibly close to signing Robbie Keane during his first summer in charge at Parkhead back in 2000.
O’Neill, who had just taken the reins at Celtic after a successful spell with Leicester City, was desperate to make a statement signing to kickstart his revolution in Glasgow and close the gap on a dominant Rangers side. Keane, a rising star at Coventry City, was high on O’Neill’s transfer wishlist. The legendary Irish manager has now opened up on the audacious contract talks that took place behind the scenes and just how close Celtic were to landing the clinical striker before he eventually chose a high-profile move to Italian giants Inter Milan.
### Martin O’Neill’s Audacious Move for Robbie Keane
Speaking about his early days at Parkhead, O’Neill explained that landing a marquee player like Keane would have sent shockwaves through Scottish football.
Keane had caught the attention of top clubs across Europe after scoring 12 goals in his debut Premier League season for Coventry City following a £6 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers. O’Neill saw the young Irishman as the perfect partner for Henrik Larsson, who was already establishing himself as a Celtic legend.
“We were really active in the market when I first arrived because we knew the squad needed a massive lift,” O’Neill recalled. “Robbie Keane was the young, exciting talent that everyone wanted. I spoke to his representatives, and we actually got quite far down the line in terms of discussing what a contract at Celtic would look like.
“I remember sitting down and mapping out how he would fit into the team alongside Henrik. It was an exciting prospect, and for a brief moment, we genuinely thought we could pull it off. The board were willing to back me, and we were ready to push the boat out to bring him to Glasgow.”
This pursuit reflected the ambition O’Neill brought to Celtic upon his appointment in June 2000. The club had endured a frustrating period, finishing as runners-up to Rangers in the league for several seasons. O’Neill, fresh from winning League Cups with Leicester and building a reputation as a motivator and tactician, aimed to transform the squad into title contenders. Signing a dynamic young forward like Keane — known for his pace, clinical finishing, and work rate — would have complemented Larsson perfectly and injected immediate attacking threat.
At the time, Keane was just 20 years old but already carried significant pedigree. Having risen through the ranks at Wolves and broken records as a teenager with his move to Coventry, he represented the new breed of Irish talent making waves in British football. Celtic’s interest wasn’t just wishful thinking; sources close to the negotiations suggest personal connections through the Irish footballing community played a role, with O’Neill leveraging his own Republic of Ireland ties.
The proposed deal reportedly included a substantial salary upgrade for Keane and assurances of regular first-team football in a competitive environment. Celtic Park’s passionate atmosphere and the chance to develop alongside players like Larsson were strong selling points. For a brief window in the summer transfer market, it appeared that the Hoops might secure one of the most promising strikers in Europe.
### The Call from Inter Milan
Despite Celtic’s best efforts and the allure of playing in front of a packed Celtic Park, the financial muscle and prestige of Serie A ultimately proved too much to compete with. Marcello Lippi’s Inter Milan entered the race, launching a massive £13 million bid that blew other suitors out of the water.
“We were making good progress, but then Inter Milan came calling,” O’Neill admitted. “Once a club of that stature enters the mix, and you have Marcello Lippi personally wanting you to move to the San Siro, it becomes a completely different ball game for a young player.
“Robbie went to Italy, which was a dream move for him at that stage of his career, even if it didn’t quite work out the way he wanted long-term. But it shows the ambition we had at Celtic at that time. We weren’t just looking for squad fillers; we wanted the very best young talent in football.”
Keane’s move to Inter in July 2000 was a record fee for Coventry and highlighted the growing globalization of football transfers. However, his time in Milan was short-lived and challenging. Lippi’s departure soon after arrival disrupted plans, and Keane struggled for consistent minutes, making just a handful of appearances before being loaned out. This path eventually led him to Leeds United and a return to the Premier League, where his career flourished further.
For Celtic, missing out on Keane was a setback but not a fatal one. O’Neill instead built a formidable squad with signings like Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson, and later Neil Lennon. This group went on to dominate Scottish football, securing three league titles, including a memorable treble in 2000-01, and reaching the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. The “Martin O’Neill era” became one of Celtic’s most celebrated periods, defined by passionate performances and a revival of the club’s competitive edge against Rangers.
### Robbie Keane’s Delayed Celtic Romanticism
While O’Neill missed out on Keane in 2000, Celtic fans did eventually get to see the Republic of Ireland’s all-time record goalscorer wear the green and white hoops.
A decade later, in January 2010, Keane completed a sensational deadline-day loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Celtic. His arrival sparked wild scenes outside Celtic Park, with thousands of supporters turning up in the middle of the night to welcome him. The excitement was palpable — a proven Premier League goalscorer joining the Hoops mid-season felt like a coup.
Keane’s short spell in Glasgow was highly prolific. He netted 16 goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, including 12 in the league, and won the fans’ Player of the Year award despite only playing for half a season. His link-up play, movement, and finishing reminded supporters of what might have been a decade earlier. Moments like his goals against Rangers rivals and in cup ties cemented his place in fans’ hearts.
O’Neill’s revelation highlights that the romantic connection between Keane and Celtic could have started much earlier, potentially altering the timeline of the historic treble-winning era under the Northern Irishman. Had Keane arrived in 2000, the attacking partnership with Larsson might have produced even more devastating results in Europe and domestically. Instead, the paths diverged — Keane chasing European dreams in Italy, while O’Neill forged a dynasty in Glasgow.
### Legacy and What Might Have Been
Looking back, the near-miss on Robbie Keane underscores the challenges smaller leagues face in competing with Europe’s elite for top talent. Celtic, despite their storied history, operated under financial constraints compared to Serie A giants. Yet, O’Neill’s willingness to pursue such a player demonstrated vision and boldness that defined his tenure.
Keane’s career trajectory post-2000 saw him become a Premier League stalwart, captain of Ireland, and a fan favorite at clubs like Liverpool and Spurs. His 2010 loan at Celtic provided closure of sorts — a brief but brilliant chapter that allowed supporters to witness his talent firsthand.
Today, the story serves as a reminder of Celtic’s enduring appeal and the “what ifs” that enrich football folklore. O’Neill’s candid reflections not only celebrate his own achievements but also honor the ambition that has always driven the club. For Celtic fans, it’s a tale of missed opportunities turned into eventual joy, reinforcing the bond between the club and its Irish icons.
In the broader context of Scottish football, O’Neill’s impact cannot be overstated. He transformed Celtic from perennial challengers into serial winners, fostering a winning mentality that influenced generations. The pursuit of Keane was just one piece in a larger puzzle of rebuilding and revitalizing a sleeping giant.
As modern football continues to evolve with ever-increasing transfer fees and global scouting networks, stories like this one highlight how close footballing destinies can come to intertwining. Robbie Keane at Celtic in 2000 — it was almost a reality. And while it didn’t happen then, the eventual loan spell ensured that the connection was never truly lost.
