Roy Keane mentioned for stunning return to management in Scottish football

ROY KEANE has been tipped for a stunning return to football management – in Scotland.

The Manchester United legend has been working full-time as a pundit with Sky Sports and ITV since his last coaching role ended five years ago.

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Keane, 53, was last in the dugout as assistant to Martin O’Neill at Nottingham Forest.

He left that position in June 2019 and hasn’t been in management since.

Prior to that, he had a five-year stint with the Republic of Ireland national team as a coach, assisting O’Neill.

Keane also had a brief spell as Paul Lambert’s No2 at Aston Villa in 2014 but left to focus on his role with Ireland.

He has had two front-line managerial roles himself, spending two-and-a-half-years in charge at Sunderland from between 2006 and 2008 and just under two years as boss of Ipswich from April 2009 to January 2011.

Now, he’s being mentioned as a potential next manager of Hibs.

The Edinburgh club appointed David Gray as the man to succeed Nick Montgomery on a permanent basis, after a period as interim manager.

But the Hibees have struggled mightily this season and go into this Sunday’s Edinburgh derby rock bottom of the Premiership table.

Speculation has mounted that Gray could be sacked after another bad result and according to Gambling.com, former Man Utd and Celtic midfielder Keane is the leading contender.

Also priced up by odds-makers are St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson – though he is set to sign an extension with the club – and Scott Brown, the Celtic legend who is currently managing Ayr United.

A spokesperson for Gambling.com said: “Roy Keane has made no secret of his desire to get back into management, having been out of the dugout since leaving Ipswich 13 years ago.

“The former Celtic midfielder has also been linked with Hibernian in the past.

“In 2022, he was reportedly keen to replace Shaun Maloney at Easter Road.

“Nothing came of the speculation, but Keane is currently the 7/4 favourite to be Hibernian’s next manager.”

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