Celtic officials were last night confident that they will be in a position to confirm Roy Keane's arrival at the club within the next 48 hours and there were suggestions that a press conference might be even be called as early as this afternoon.

While talks have been continuing intermittently over the past couple of weeks, major progress was made over the course of yesterday and, by evening, the Corkman was reported to be in Glasgow undergoing a scan on the knee that has caused him so many problems over the past few seasons.

Earlier, Celtic's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond had signalled that the player's wage demands would not be an insurmountable barrier to him completing a move to Parkhead and sources at the club were suggesting by late afternoon that it would now be a major surprise if the 34-year-old does not put pen to paper on an 18-month contract with the club for whom he is apparently set to wear the number 16 shirt.

The deal is expected to have a significant coaching element to it with Keane anxious to complete the Pro Licence that would qualify him to become a Premiership manager. Celtic are believed to have agreed to facilitate him as he works towards the badge and their willingness to do so is believed to have been a major factor in his decision to move to the Parkhead outfit, rather than either Everton or Bolton, both of whom were primarily interested in a playing only deal.

The arrangement is similar to that afforded by the club to Paul Lambert, who wound down his playing career over the past couple of years at Celtic while also working, with the club's support, to qualify as a coach. The former Scotland international subsequently achieved his goal when he took on his first job in management at Livingston last June.

For the Irishman, the transition is a little more dramatic, but he had long flagged his interest in a move into management and had previously hinted that he would like to play for Celtic at some point. Still, there is likely to be some disappointment within his camp that he will not be able to wrap up his playing days at a higher level than the Scottish club game and serious doubts have been raised over the past couple of days as to whether talk of a move to Real Madrid had substantial basis in fact.

On a practical level, the Irishman earned a little short of €150,000 a week at Old Trafford and can expect to take only a quarter of that directly from his new employers, but Desmond - criticised recently for not spending enough on the club he effectively controls - will almost certainly make up a large portion of the shortfall, most likely by way of a sponsorship deal involving one of his many companies.

Assuming Keane's medical throws up no difficulties and the finer points of the contract can be agreed, then the long-time former United captain will officially join the Glasgow club over the next day or two.

He will not, however, be eligible to play a competitive game for the Scottish Premier League leaders until January 1st when, as it happens, Gordon Strachan's side are due to travel to Tynecastle for a top-of-the-table clash with Hearts.

Once fully fit he would be expected to make a major impact for the club domestically - while he should also have the opportunity to prove himself one more time in the Champions League next season, something none of his other confirmed suitors could offer him.