ROY KEANE HAS turned down an approach from Celtic and will stay on as Ireland assistant manager.

The FAI said: “Roy Keane will travel with the Republic of Ireland squad to the US after he decided not to pursue the informal talks that took place with Celtic any further.”

Keane spoke to Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond last week and was touted as the red-hot favourite to succeed Neil Lennon as manager at Parkhead.

Speculation intensified over the weekend as Ireland played out a 0-0 friendly draw with Italy in London.

But after taking a few days to consider his options, Keane has told the FAI that he will stay on as Martin O’Neill’s number two.

The news of the decision was first reported by the Irish Independent this afternoon.

Bookmakers immediately made former West Brom boss Steve Clarke the favourite to take over at the Scottish champions.

Ireland fly out to America on Wednesday ahead of their friendlies against Costa Rica and Portugal.