Martin O’Neill admits he would have been shocked if old pal Roy Keane had rocked up at Easter Road.
The Celtic legend – who had Keane as his Republic of Ireland no.2 – believes the Manchester United hero is ready to return to the dugout after more than a decade on the sidelines.
But he doubted it would have been at Hibs due to owner Ron Gordon’s recent trigger-happy approach to managers.
Keane has been touted for the Leith role following the sacking of Shaun Maloney after just 19 games in charge – hot on the heels of Jack Ross getting punted after leading the club to the League Cup Final.
Hoops hero O’Neill said: “I would be really surprised. I was hoping Roy would take the Sunderland job, because of what he has done before.
“But then you are talking about Roy having to give up TV work, which he has done really well in. He was interviewed for Celtic by Dermot and didn’t take it. Sometimes Dermot doesn’t ask twice, you don’t get a second opportunity.
“There is a bridge to be burned there at some stage or other. With regards to Hibs, I would be really surprised at that.
“My thinking regarding Sunderland was he had done well there before and I thought he might be exactly what they needed to try and get into the playoffs.
“I genuinely thought it was a no lose for him. But contractually it might not suit him at the minute.
“I don’t know the people at Hibs, but if he looks at it he will see they let their manager go after he got them to the League Cup final, then they let another manager go after hardly any games.”
O’Neill hinted he’s also hankering for a return to the dugout at the age of 70.
The Northern Irishman – who has spells in charge of Aston Villa and Sunderland in the Premier League – said: “ It is interesting. I think I have been hiding behind Covid now for two years.
"I haven’t actively sought out anything. Of course, you have to be asked somewhere along the way. I do some punditry work for overseas television.
"I jokingly say I am massive in Malaysia, not so big in Huddersfield. If some owner of a football club or somebody who was preparing to take over came to me and said ‘listen, would you fancy managing for a year or two’ I would maybe give it some thought.
"But I haven’t really done anything about it. I suppose lethargy sets in, although I’m not really lethargic.
“Do I miss the grief? Strangely enough, that’s probably the bit I miss the most Genuinely."
