Martin O’Neill wants clarity over Roy Keane’s possible move to Aston Villa

Ireland manager hopes assistant can pull double duty with club and country

Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane shouts instructions during the English Championship match against Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on January 3, 2011. Jamie McDonald / Getty Images

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said he will not stand in the way of assistant Roy Keane taking a role at Aston Villa, but wants the matter cleared up as soon as possible.

Keane, a former Manchester United captain who has served as manager at Sunderland and Ipswich, has been linked with a post as Paul Lambert's No 2 at Villa Park during the past week.

Keane had previously been linked to the vacant manager’s position at Celtic, but decided against making that move.

O’Neill told the Irish Independent he believed Keane could combine his role with the national team with new duties at Villa, but he does not want the matter dragging into next season.

“I want to be careful about jumping the gun, because we had him signed, sealed and delivered to Celtic and that did not materialise,” O’Neil said.

“I don’t really know if this is something that he is going to have a serious look at.

“But if he is, then I will definitely speak [again] to Paul Lambert – and see if that kind of role can be combined.

“One thing I want to establish is what sort of in-depth conversations have gone on.

“I have spoken to Paul Lambert. Paul has spoken to Roy about the possibility of it happening.

“Nothing definitive has happened and I don’t really know what sort of commitment [the Villa position] would entail.

“If he is actually a full-blooded assistant, then that is something to consider.

“I don’t mind it [speculation] going on for a week or two. Celtic wanted something in place, as they have games coming up quite soon.

“And I assume Aston Villa will want to get something in place by the time they start pre-season.

“I don’t want it to be continued right through until August time.”

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