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John O'Shea: A former team-mate of Keane's with club and country. Donall Farmer/INPHO

John O'Shea thinks the lure of Celtic job is too strong for Keane

The Sunderland captain thinks the assistant manager is out the gap.

IRELAND DEFENDER John O’Shea admits he expects Roy Keane to take charge of Celtic.

The current Ireland assistant manager has emerged as the favourite for the job and the Hoops have confirmed that they have approached Keane.

O’Shea conceded that Keane’s days as Ireland assistant are numbered.

“It looks very much like it now,” said the Sunderland skipper after training in Malahide today.

“Slowly but surely, it snowballed into having talks with Celtic, so I would be very surprised if it doesn’t get across the line.”

O’Shea and Keane says the players had tried to get an indication from Keane as to his intentions: “Obviously the lads have been trying to get hints but he’s kept a good poker face.”

The Waterford native echoed Martin O’Neill’s sentiments that losing Keane would be a huge disappointment but he believes the Celtic job is too good to turn down.

“It’s one of the clubs around the world that was going to entice him back into management and away from his current job. It’s something he would really enjoy I’m sure and relish the challenge of managing a fantastic club like Celtic. But let’s wait and see if it does happen,” he said.

O’Shea doesn’t think that Keane should have to choose and the question of juggling jobs was broached with the stand in skipper. “I can’t see why he couldn’t do it. I’m sure Celtic and the FAI would maybe prefer it to be one way or the other, but hey, things have been done like that in the past, so why can’t it be done in the future?”

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 26th 2020, 8:46 AM

    Beirne is the most versatile forward we have. He can play anywhere from 4-8 and has an agressif style about him.

    I confess to not being a big fan Roux and think Thornbury is the better player at Connacht. The former did play well again Wales.

    As much as POM did well in last outings James Ryan needs to be his own man for the Georgia game.

    Drop POM and Roux and bring in Baird and Beirne. Both have been part of the Irish setup.

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Nov 26th 2020, 7:41 AM

    Good player, where do you put him and who is left out? Because we have many players who are close in ability to each other there is a big onus on AF to have a clear vision for Irish rugby on the pitch. That should lead him to putting the different units together based on particular individual skills that are a fit/match for his vision and then guiding the various coaching teams to gel the units as a team. Then he needs to get his message out to the rugby public so we know what he is trying to do. He has to tell us where his trade offs are e.g. because this is my vision it will sacrifice scrum power in the 2nd row for superior jackalling ability at the breakdown ……and so on. Its not difficult if you have the beginning to end vision. Joe had it and thats why he was so successful.

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    Mute Stuart Quinn
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    Nov 26th 2020, 8:33 AM

    @Michael Murray: Beirne in and O’Mahony out. Simple

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Nov 26th 2020, 8:43 AM

    @Stuart Quinn: ….everything is simple to the simpleminded

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    Mute Finn McCool
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    Nov 26th 2020, 8:52 AM

    @Michael Murray: why on earth would he tell the rugby public his deep thought process behind various selections and what his intricate game plan is? Essentially highlighting the weaknesses in certain players and the squad to the opposition?

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Nov 26th 2020, 9:13 AM

    @Finn McCool: ….one of the key components for successful management anywhere and at any level is the ability to bring people with you. To do that you have to inform…..doesn’t have to be minutae but enough so that people get the gist of what you are doing.Try managing without it.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 26th 2020, 9:46 AM

    @Stuart Quinn: so you saying play Beirne at 7?

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    Mute Stuart Quinn
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    Nov 26th 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Chris Mc: No Beirne at 6. Connors or Van der Flier at 7. Conan/Doris/Stander at 8. This covers lineout, jackaling, tackling and ball carrying. Not simpleminded!

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    Mute Paul Burke
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    Nov 26th 2020, 7:04 PM

    @Stuart Quinn: no room for Levy or POM there so not to mention emerging talent ? – not sure we’re ready to let POM drift off into sunset yet given his strong performances at international as a contesting line out jumper or additional own-throw option

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Nov 26th 2020, 10:05 PM

    @Stuart Quinn: problem with Van der Flier is against the physically bigger teams he lacks that bit of power. V good all the same though

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    Mute whoowhat?
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    Nov 26th 2020, 9:33 AM

    Very talented player a little caught between positions possibly, I see him asa second rower and hope that himself Dillane and roux were tearing absolute strips out of each other this week to get the starting spot/spots up for grabs.
    We need serious competition for places to keep the centrally contracted players on their toes. That’s right through the squad. If your only showing up for a battle on game day, its too late.

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    Mute Will
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    Nov 26th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @whoowhat?: he almost has snookered himself with his versatility from the bench but he’s a quality player. I think for Ireland anyway he should focus on 2nd row, the back row options are too strong. He’s a huge asset to have there

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