Keith Gillespie on why his 'Class of '92' team mate Nicky Butt can help Roy Keane succeed at Celtic

Whether Nicky Butt, who achieved every bit as much as Keane as a footballer, will arrive at Parkhead this summer has barely received a mention in comparison.

Yet, for Keith Gillespie, who was a member of the fabled ‘Class of ‘92’ along with David Beckham, Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, securing the services of his old friend and team mate, who has been tipped to become assistant, will be just as important.

The pros and cons of the former Republic of Ireland midfielder replacing Neil Lennon have been debated at some length by both supporters and the media since it emerged he was a serious contender for the vacancy.

Would he consider giving up his TV punditry work and returning to the dugout? Does he have what it takes to sort out the mess at Celtic? What about his struggles at Sunderland and Ipswich? How would the players respond to his abrasive manner? What will the fans’ reaction be? The possibility of such a high-profile and divisive figure taking over has polarised opinion.

But Butt? The ex-England internationalist, who left his job at the United academy after nine years this week and sparked a flurry of speculation in the process, has been somewhat overlooked amid all of the hysteria.

The 46-year-old, though, was just as successful as his old team mate. He won six Premier League titles, the FA Cup three times and the Champions League in 1999 during the 12 years that he spent in the first team, often directly alongside Keane, at Old Trafford.

He also played for England on no fewer than 39 occasions – including at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea in 2002 when no less a judge than Pele declared him to be his country’s outstanding performer.

Gillespie certainly believes that Butt has a huge amount to offer Celtic, would be the perfect foil for his fellow Irishman, just as he was on the field of play for so many seasons, and could help him to deliver silverware.   

“It is important when you become a manager that you get the right guy in with you, somebody that you trust,” said the former Manchester United, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and Sheffield United winger. 

“Roy and Nicky had a career together at Old Trafford and played central midfield together for a while. If they are to be the two then I think it would be a fantastic move.

“Nicky is a brilliant lad. I grew up with him from the age of 16, came through the youth set-up with him at United. He was a superb player, but he is a really good guy as well, a good type to have around the dressing room. It is important you have that at a club.

“If Roy is brought in as manager I have no doubt he will be the tough guy, the No1. Nicky, as his assistant, will always have his back, but I know he will like a laugh and a joke as well. They will complement each other perfectly and that is what you need in those roles. 

“Plus, Nicky has great experience as a coach from his time working at the United academy. He has got plenty of years working under Sir Alex Ferguson behind him as well and will only have learned and benefitted from that. He would do a great job for Celtic.”

Gillespie can also understand the logic behind making Keane the Celtic manager even if many fans are highly sceptical. The former Northern Ireland internationalist knows he will, like Liverpool and England great Steven Gerrard at Rangers, be undeterred by the demands, scrutiny and pressure on him.  

“It is something I am sure Roy will relish,” he said. “Celtic have obviously struggled this season and he will want to go in there and do something. He hasn’t had the best time in the managerial roles that he has had. But he knows the game inside out.

“If he does go to Celtic the majority of people will miss him as a pundit. He is absolutely priceless. He says it as it is. If he takes the job I am sure the Scottish media will have some fun with him in press conferences.

“But I think Celtic need a big name just now and Roy Keane is one of the biggest names in football. I think it would be a fantastic appointment for them. As I say, to have somebody like Nicky Butt beside him will help enormously.

“He won’t be daunted by the size of Celtic. When you have played for Manchester United, probably the biggest club in the world, have done so as captain and have won everything there is to win it is not something you will be fazed by.

“But nothing seems to get to Roy Keane. He takes things in his stride. He has been there and done it all. So why should he be overwhelmed by anything? He has played for Celtic, too, so he knows what it is all about there.”

Gillespie continued:  “Rangers are now back to challenging for honours again now and that is how it is going to be for the foreseeable future. Rangers and Celtic will both be vying for the league.

“If you finish second in Glasgow that is a failure. There is so much pressure on both of the Old Firm managers. But Roy Keane won’t be overawed by that.

“If it does come off I think it would be fantastic. Even just to have that rivalry again with Gerrard and Roy will be great. They were big rivals when they were players in the Liverpool and Manchester United sides. It would be great to see.”