Roy Keane’s Celtic spell didn’t go as he would have liked, but he still left some great memories at the Parkhead club.
The legendary midfielder had a falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2005 and he decided to join Celtic.
Those at Old Trafford were starting a new era of their own, with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo beginning to come through and write their names in the club’s history books.
As for Keane, his Celtic career began with that shock defeat to Clyde, but he did produce that quite stunning performance at Ibrox and picked up a league winners medal.
The Republic of Ireland international was 34 when he called time on his career, far younger than one Ronaldo.
Portugal recently got knocked out of Euro 2024, with Ronaldo, who is now 39, failing to score, despite starting every game and many questioning his performances.
On Stick to Football, Keane was discussing the difficulty sportsmen usually face in knowing when to retire, as he suggested Ronaldo could be in that boat now.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, as his time in European football ended with that short and difficult return to Manchester United.
Keane was discussing how his own time at Celtic ended, how it was a ‘relief’ when he rang up Gordon Strachan to tell him that he was going to call it a day, even if he was nowhere near the boat Ronaldo finds himself in now.
Roy Keane on retiring at Celtic amid Cristiano Ronaldo criticism at Euro 2024
“We go back to it, sports people and about just letting go,” said Keane. “With boxers, they want one more fight. No, no, no.
“You know we have all been there when you have these big decisions to make, we have all been there, you come towards the end of your career. You are at a crossroads, aren’t you? Do you stop playing football? Something you have been doing since you were a kid.
“When I stopped. When you make that big decision, it can be a relief. When I stopped playing, I was 34 and as soon as I spoke to Gordon Strachan, and I still had a year left at Celtic, I am not saying I was in the bracket of Ronaldo. But when I gave up, and I still thought I could maybe play another year when the body is giving up. You make that decision. I had closure. It was a relief. I had closure straightaway from that phone call.”
Celtic ahead of the new season
Brendan Rodgers returned to Celtic and delivered the Scottish Premiership title last season, along with winning the Scottish Cup.
Preparations for the new season have already begun and the transfer rumour mill is running riot.
READ: 50 MOST LIKELY PREMIER LEAGUE, EFL AND EUROPEAN SUMMER 2024 FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
Adam Idah is a wanted man at Celtic after his successful loan spell last season, but it’s proving to be difficult, as of this moment.
If the club can get him on board, then it would be huge because Idah’s winner in the Scottish Cup final is proof of what he is capable of.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
