Celtic reunion 'would be special' admits former Hoops player Robbie Keane as his Ferencvaros side face potential Glasgow trip

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Robbie Keane may be reunited with Celtic and Martin O'Neill, with Ferencvaros one of the potential sides that The Hoops will face in the UEFA Europa League knockout play-off. O'Neill's side beat Utrecht 4-2 whilst Keane's team lost 4-0 to Nottingham Forest, but both sides may come face-to-face in the competition soon. Keane admitted a Celtic reunion would be "special".

'That would be special' - Keane relishing potential Celtic play-off reunion with Ferencvaros

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Ferencvaros manager Robbie Keane reacted to the prospect of a potential meeting with former club Celtic in the UEFA Europa League play-off round.

Keane said that a meeting with Martin O’Neill’s Celtic would be "special".

The Hungarian side travelled to England with hopes of finishing in the top eight, but a 4-0 loss to Nottingham Forest put that to bed, and they go into the play-offs instead.

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Keane may now be in line for two emotional reunions, potentially facing his former club Celtic, now managed by his former manager at international level, O'Neill.

"Obviously, the connection with Celtic, of course, in terms of I played there," Keane said in the aftermath of Ferencvaros' defeat.

"A fantastic club, unbelievable support. That would be special."

"Playing against my old manager as well, Martin. And Ludogorets we've played and we've done well against them.

"We get who we get, it doesn't really matter regardless who it is. I'll definitely enjoy it anyway."

Keane was a prolific goalscorer for Celtic during a loan spell in 2010, netting 16 goals in 19 games.

After retiring he moved into coaching, getting his first full-time opportunity in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv, and he now manages Ferencvaros.

A 12th place finish for the Hungarians is enough to see them through to the play-offs.

'It would be great' - Williams and McCoist discuss Keane and Celtic

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Fara Williams and Ally McCoist agreed that Keane's potential return to Celtic Park would be a special.

The pair also touched on the fact he was linked to the Celtic managerial position recently, with Williams wondering if he might be in the mix for the role in the summer.

"It would be great, wouldn't it?" Fara Williams said on the Goal Show.

"Going back to Celtic Park, it would be a great story. It would be a difficult game as well.

"Obviously they fell short against Forest, but I think it would be a great story and a really great game for Celtic.

"I'm surprised his name hasn't been put in the hat for the Celtic job."

McCoist agreed, saying: "[I] wouldn't rule it out for him."

Celtic have 'shown great resilience' - O'Neill

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill spoke after his side's 4-2 win over Utrecht that saw them through to the play-offs, praising his side's growing resilience.

O'Neill said: "It's nice. Played really strongly in the first 10-15 minutes. Got ourselves in front with a couple of great goals.

"Then it got a little bit nervy for a while when it went to 3-2, but [Auston] Trusty scores a great header and we win the game.

Highlights: Celtic secure play-off place with thrilling win over Utrecht

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"I think we deserved to win it, we pressed strongly. We got a little bit tired, which is not really surprising, but overall, a brilliant effort.

"I think over the last couple of weeks we've shown great resilience, which, if you consider this time last week, we were down to 10 men for 60 minutes.

"Then again on Sunday. So they've shown that. Tonight we didn't make that many changes, they pressed very strongly, got our rewards, and we're in the hat.

"[We're] just really genuinely pleased to be in it. What I think was pleasing about tonight was that the game in Feyenoord and the performance last Thursday night in Bologna, counted for something.

"The last thing you wanted was two great performances like that count for nothing if you don't go through."

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