ROY KEANE has ruled himself out of the Celtic manager’s job to keep working with the Irish national team.

A club source said yesterday: “Roy was not offered the job — no-one has been offered it yet.

“But he has ruled himself out and asked not to be considered for the position.”

Hoops majority shareholder Dermot Desmond held talks with the Republic of Ireland assistant manager last week but they weren’t thought to include a formal job offer.

And the Football Association of Ireland said yesterday: “Roy Keane has confirmed that he will travel to the US after deciding not to pursue talks with Celtic FC any further.”

The 42-year-old had emerged as frontrunner for the Celtic post, vacant since Neil Lennon resigned at the end of the season.

It left former West Brom manager Steve Clarke as the man expected to land the job.

Sacked Cardiff boss Malky Mackay and Owen Coyle — who has been out of work since leaving Wigan last year — are also in the race to take the post.

Keane’s decision was a surprise after earlier reports yesterday had indicated that he was within hours of taking the job.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill had confirmed that his number two held informal talks with the Hoops, for whom Keane played briefly at the end of his carrer.

O’Neill said: ‘‘I had a call the other day from Dermot Desmond wanting to speak to Roy if it was at all possible, and I mentioned it to Roy, of course.

‘‘I am sure he was wanting to have a chat anyway because a club like Celtic might not come around too often.

‘‘It was just a really informal chat, I think, but if you are asking me would I be really disappointed? Of course if Roy was to leave us.’’

However, Keane had earlier hinted it would be difficult for him to leave his current role with the Football Association of Ireland.

He said in May: ‘‘I’ve got a job — I’ve got two jobs — I can’t have another one. They are a brilliant club, an absolutely fantastic football club, one of the best in the world. But I have got a job.”