Robbie Keane, the current manager of Ferencvaros, has hinted at a potentially special Europa League encounter against Martin O'Neill's Celtic. The possibility of facing his former club and his former manager has sparked considerable interest and anticipation.

The draw for the Europa League play-offs is set to take place on Friday, January 30, at 12 pm, and Celtic is among the teams Ferencvaros could face. Other potential opponents include Bulgarian side Ludogorets and Stuttgart. For Keane, a match against Celtic would be more than just another game. He has strong ties to the club, having played for them on loan during his career.

Adding another layer of intrigue is the presence of Martin O'Neill as Celtic's manager. Keane played under O'Neill at the international level with the Republic of Ireland, forging a close working relationship. Reflecting on the possibility of facing O'Neill, Keane acknowledged the respect he has for the veteran manager. He highlighted O'Neill's experience and the positive impact he's had since returning to Celtic, stating that O'Neill has injected "a lot of energy to the club, of course, a lot of energy to the players, with a club that was obviously very, very down".

Speaking to TNT Sports, Keane expressed his sentiments about the potential match-up. "Well, obviously the connection to Celtic, of course, I played there," he said. "[A] Fantastic club, unbelievable support so of course that would be special. Playing against my old manager in Martin as well!". Despite the emotional connection, Keane remains focused on the competition. He recognizes the challenge that any opponent would present in the play-offs. "Regardless of who we play in the two games, it will be so difficult," Keane stated.

Keane's managerial journey has seen him cross paths with experienced figures in the footballing world. In the current Europa League campaign, he has already managed against Rafa Benitez and Sean Dyche. Facing O'Neill would add another notable name to that list.

Ferencvaros's recent form has been mixed. They finished the league phase in 12th position. However, they have demonstrated their capabilities in Europe, including a 2-1 victory against Rangers in December. A recent 4-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest serves as a reminder of the challenges they face.

As the Europa League draw approaches, the prospect of Robbie Keane facing Martin O'Neill and his former club Celtic has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike. Whether it is "written in the stars" remains to be seen, but the potential reunion adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition.