Celtic target Roy Keane in talks with Aston Villa

Keane held an informal meeting with Lambert with a view to replacing Ian Culverhouse. Picture: PA

Keane held an informal meeting with Lambert last month with a view to replacing Ian Culverhouse, who was dismissed by the club following an internal investigation. It is understood Lambert would be happy for Keane to continue in his role as No 2 to Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill if he were to take the Villa role.

Keane is due to link back up with the Ireland squad in Dublin before flying out today for their two-game tour of the United States.

Earlier this week, Keane indicated he did not wish to be considered as a potential replacement for Neil Lennon at Celtic.

A source close to the club said Keane had “asked not to be considered for the position”.

Lambert is keen to get a permanent assistant on board as he rebuilds following Villa’s disappointing 15th-placed finish last season.

The Villa job would offer Keane a route back into domestic football for the first time since he left Ipswich in January 2011.

Meanwhile, ITV has confirmed that Keane has pulled out of his expected role as a World Cup pundit in order to concentrate on his coaching career.

Keane was officially unveiled in the ITV line-up for the event last month but subsequently had a change of heart.

An ITV spokesman said: “Roy has been a tremendous part of our pundit team in recent years, but we fully understand his decision to concentrate wholly on his coaching.

“We wish him every success for the future.”