Celtic fan groups oppose potential Keane move over previous role at Maccabi Tel Aviv

Celtic’s interest in appointing Robbie Keane as their new manager sparks anger among the club’s anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian fans after his previous role with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Keane is the leading contender to take charge of the Scottish champions after reportedly entering talks with the club’s principal shareholder, Dermot Desmond.

Keane, who is Ireland’s record goalscorer, enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Celtic in 2010.

He was appointed by Maccabi as manager in June 2023, prior to the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 that triggered the war.

Celtic supporters have long displayed Palestinian flags.

Now graffiti and banners opposing the prospect of Keane becoming manager have appeared outside Celtic’s stadium in Glasgow. Rhetoric and caricatures against Keane online have at times been antisemitic.

A statement from a group called ‘Celtic Fans for the Liberation of Palestine’ says hiring Keane “would be deeply divisive among the support.”

“Celtic supporters have a long and proud history of solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the statement says.

“For us, Robbie Keane’s decision to manage Maccabi Tel Aviv during the genocide in Gaza is impossible to ignore.

“To choose to manage a club in Israel while, less than 40 miles away, the same country was using indiscriminate weapons of mass murder against defenceless people is unconscionable.

“Celtic was founded by a community shaped by the legacy of genocide, displacement and famine. Our club’s roots lie in solidarity with those who suffered injustice and oppression.”

Israel strenuously denies all accusations of genocide.

Keane guided Maccabi to the league and cup double before resigning in 2024 and moving to Hungarian club Ferencvaros in 2025.

He has said he stayed for the full campaign, partly because of his responsibility to the staff he took with him to Israel.