CELTIC pulled off the win over Utrecht they needed to seal a Europa League play-off place tonight.
And they’ve teed up a potential meeting with one of their former stars.
Robbie Keane had a prolific loan spell with Celtic back in 2010, hitting 16 goals in 19 games.
The former Republic of Ireland striker moved into coaching after retirement, largely featuring as an assistant manager before getting a first full-time gig in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The 45-year-old is now in charge of Ferencvaros, and has guided them into 12th spot in the Europa League table.
That’s enough for a spot in the play-offs – where Keane may be reunited with his old side.
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Ferencvaros will face either the Hoops or Ludogorets in the knockout play-off.
Celts themselves will find out whether they’ll be paired with Keane’s outfit or German side Stuttgart in tomorrow’s draw.
The romantics may be hoping for a reunion between Keane and Martin O’Neill, the man who managed him in that loan stint at Parkhead.
And Keane himself talked up the potential tie, telling TNT Sports after Ferencvaros’ 4-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest about his feelings for his former side.
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He said: “There is a connection to Celtic because I played there and it’s an unbelievable club and support.
“That would be special going up against my old manager in Martin.
“There is going to be a lot of talk, because I played for Celtic, but I don’t really care [who we play].
“You always want to play against very, very experienced managers.
“I’ve done it twice in this campaign, with Rafa [Benitez], and then with Sean [Dyche], who has got wealth of experience.
“There aren’t many more experienced than Martin, and what he’s done in the game and what he’s done since he’s come back to Celtic, because he’s given a lot of energy to the club, a lot of energy to the players, at a club that was obviously very, very down.
“That’s what Martin does.
“So, maybe it’s written in the stars, myself against Martin, I don’t know.
“But again, regardless of who we play in the two games, it will be so difficult.
“Ludogorets we’ve played, and we’ve done well against them.
“We get who we get, it doesn’t really matter.
“I will enjoy it regardless of who it is.”
Keane also defended his team after the heavy defeat to Forest.
He continued: “They’re a top team, you can see the level’s completely different.
“To do what we’ve done already, to even get this far, has been a credit to the guys.”
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