One thing is for sure if Roy Keane lands the Hibs job – it won’t be dull.
There is never any shortage of drama when it comes to Scottish football.
But that could be turned up a notch if the Ireland legend – backed into favourite with the bookies – sweeps into Easter Road.
Whether as a player, manager or now as an outspoken pundit Keane has always been box office.
From his infamous bust-up with Mick McCarthy in Saipan that ended his international career to a fall out with Sir Alex Ferguson that soured the end of his time at Manchester United, he has never been one to hold back.
Hibs players would be advised not to step out of line if the 50-year-old does succeed his former Celtic team-mate Shaun Maloney.
Keane and Maloney might have shared a Parkhead dressing room for a brief spell the as characters they could scarcely be more contrasting.
It’s fair to say it would be a different style of management if Ron Gordon opts for Keane, even if he might have mellowed slightly.
Here, Record Sport looks at some of Keane’s best quotes over the years from his colourful career in football.
On preparations for a World Cup qualifier against Holland
“When we got to the stadium (Mick) McCarthy gave me a pull. 'What's up with you?' he asked. 'What's up with me?' I responded. 'What's up with me? We're f***ing playing Holland tomorrow in a World Cup qualifier. Do you think Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is eating f***ing cheese sandwiches or a takeaway f***ing pizza tonight?’
On Celtic’s celebrations after qualifying for the Champions League against Hapoel Beer Sheva
“They scraped through and I thought they’d actually won the thing. They’ve got to change the mindset. I’m on about the qualifying games when they were scraping through then celebrating like they’d won the bloody thing.”
His take on the late Jack Charlton’s decision to take the Ireland players for fish and chips before a Euro 96 qualifier
“Eat up, lads, urged Jack. Some of the lads tucked into Harry’s Challenge. Then off to Lansdowne Road for the final training session. Yes, Austria won 3-1. Some of the lads reported that their legs ‘went’ 20 minutes from the end. F**ked. But they’d passed Harry’s Challenge.”
On Jesse Lingard launching his clothing range before Manchester United’s trip to Anfield
"That wouldn't be tolerated in a good dressing room for a young player, who is still learning his trade - he could be the nicest kid in the world, I don't know the lad - but if you're coming up with all that nonsense and when people say, 'you should have other stuff outside of football'... I don't think you should.
“Football should be your No.1 priority. It should be, focus on the game, don't hide behind your cars or your tattoos or your girlfriends or your agents. Play the game and you can do all that stuff when you retire.”
On his reputation
"People say I’m hard, I’m Mr Angry. I’m this, I’m that. I just want to win matches. There’s no point going out there and being Mr Nice Guy. We get 55,000 at Old Trafford and I don’t think they want fellas going out there and thinking: Ah, if we lose, so what?”
On the rising corporate support at Old Trafford
"Away from home our fans are fantastic. But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch.”
On rejecting the chance to sign Robbie Savage for Sunderland
“I got Robbie’s mobile number and rang him. It went to his voicemail: ‘Hi, it’s Robbie – whazzup!’ Like the Budweiser ad. I never called him back. I thought, ‘I can’t be f****** signing that’."
On the mentality of modern day players
“People say I’m a bit old school; I call it good school. No matter what’s going on at your club, you go out and give it your all. The idea that these players may be a little bit upset…and it’s not just at United. The modern player, they aren’t just weak players, they are very weak human beings.”
On United players getting touch-feely with Liverpool rivals
“You’re going to war. Hugging and kissing, don’t even look at them. You’re going to battle against them. The game hasn’t changed that much, the players have. Maybe chat to them after the game. Actually, don’t even chat to them after the game.”
On going with the flow
“People say ‘go with the flow’ but do you know what goes with the flow? Dead fish.”
On Alf-Inge Haaland and THAT tackle
“I’d waited long enough. I f*****g hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you ****. And don’t ever stand over me again sneering about fake injuries. And tell your pal (David) Wetherall there’s some for him as well. I didn’t wait for Mr Elleray to show the red card. I turned and walked to the dressing room. My attitude is an eye for an eye.”
On joining Celtic to SPITE Gordon Strachan
“I met Gordon Strachan in London at Dermot Desmond’s house. Gordon told me ‘I’m not really worried if you sign for us or not. We’re okay without you’. So I said to myself ‘F*** him, I’m signing’.
It was one of the reasons I signed for Celtic - to prove Gordon wrong. He was letting me know he wasn’t desperate for me; he was being a bit coy. But there was a bit of defiance from me.”
On losing to Clyde on his horror Hoops debut
“My first game was Clyde, away, in the third round of the Scottish Cup. We were beaten 2-1. It was a nightmare. I wasn’t happy with my own game. I did OK, but OK wasn’t good enough. After the game – the disappointment. As I was taking my jersey off, I noticed the Nike tag was still on it. When I got on the bus John Hartson, a really good guy, was already sitting there and he was eating a packet of crisps – with a fizzy drink. I said to myself, ‘Welcome to Hell’."
When asked if he had any kind words for Rangers after their title success
“For Rangers? No. Listen it’s been a tough year for Celtic but they’ll bounce back next year like all great clubs do.”
