Roy Keane backed to replace Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager

Punters have been backing Roy Keane to replace Stephen Kenny as Republic of Ireland manager over the past few days.

Paddy Power reports that the Manchester United legend has been backed into 9/2 favourite to be the next Ireland boss.

The Boys in Green are now winless in 11 games after Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Qatar and pressure is mounting on Kenny.

But the Ireland manager took aim at his critics last night and insisted he will have the last laugh.

Kenny said: said: “Everyone is coming out of the woodwork, wanting to kick us when we’re down.

“Some people have turned very quickly. But I've experienced a lot in my life. It doesn't hurt me because, do you know what? I don't care. I know what I'm doing. I have real clarity in what I'm trying to implement.

“It’s irrelevant to me what other people think.

“I’ve great belief in the players in this squad and I think we’re going to formulate a very good squad over the next couple of years.

“We will get back on track and give the Irish supporters an Irish team to be proud of.

“And I’m going to be part of that, I’m going to manage that and I’m going to make sure we’re even better. I believe that.”

Keane had been strongly linked with the Celtic job in recent weeks, but former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is now at the top of the market to replace Neil Lennon as Celtic manager, with Keane out to 10/1.

Lennon is high in the betting for the Ireland job and is 6/1 second favourite with Paddy Power, while Keith Andrews is 13/2 and Robbie Keane is 7/1.

Meanwhile, it's 2/1 for Kenny to still be in charge on January 1 2022 as he tries to get World Cup qualification back on track.

Spokesperson Paddy Power said: "We didn't even know Coronavirus existed the last time Ireland won a game of football, and pubs might well be open before we win again. Qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar already looks in trouble and Kenny is under more pressure than most waistbands in lockdown three.

"I’m just glad that we thrashed the English in the 6 Nations and at Cheltenham, otherwise we'd never hear the end of it"