Football: Keegan turns down Everton and Celtic

Kevin Keegan has turned down approaches from Everton and Celtic to make a return to management this summer as he carries on his exile from football.

The former Newcastle United boss was sounded out by Everton twice as they sought a replacement for Joe Royle, the second contact as recent as last week. Celtic have also been in touch only to meet with the same negative response.

Keegan has been out of work since January when he left Newcastle and has told his suitors that he intends to stay out of the game until after the World Cup finals next year.

Sources close to Keegan suggest he needs to recharge his batteries after his years at Newcastle and neither the prospect of reviving Everton nor working in Scotland carried enough appeal.

The only post that would alter Keegan's life plan is the Liverpool job, but Roy Evans has been assured his position is safe for another season, although the demands for a trophy increase at Anfield as Manchester United begin to monopolise the Premier League.

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