Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is reportedly “very interested” in becoming the next Celtic boss, following Brendan Rodgers’ surprise exit from Parkhead last week.
The 39-year-old has emerged as one of the leading contenders to take over permanently, with interim manager Martin O’Neill currently in charge after Rodgers’ resignation.
Sources close to Football Insider claim that McKenna is becoming increasingly unsettled at Portman Road and is monitoring developments in Glasgow closely.
McKenna’s Future Under Scrutiny
McKenna, who guided Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, has seen his side endure a mixed start to the 2025/26 campaign. Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Watford left the Tractor Boys sitting 10th in the table, some way off their pre-season expectations of a sustained promotion push.
EXCLUSIVE! Kieran McKenna rivals Celtic next manager target Enzo Maresca | @ScottBurns75https://t.co/iA6tdQcqs2 pic.twitter.com/75zcDtGoEq
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) June 6, 2023
Reports suggest that the club’s hierarchy has begun to question McKenna’s long-term direction, with pressure growing after a run of inconsistent form. The Northern Irishman’s stock, however, remains high north of the border, where his modern coaching methods and player development record have drawn praise.
A move to Celtic would represent a major career step, giving McKenna the chance to manage in European competition and compete for domestic honours. However, with the Ipswich project still in progress, leaving mid-season could spark criticism among supporters who have backed him since his arrival from Manchester United’s coaching staff in 2021.
Celtic’s Managerial Options
Interim boss Martin O’Neill has steadied the ship at Parkhead with back-to-back wins, including a 3-1 triumph over rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup. Sources in Glasgow suggest O’Neill could be offered the role until the end of the season if results continue to impress, though the club’s board is still weighing up long-term options.
Elsewhere, former Wales assistant and current national team manager Craig Bellamy has been linked with the position, but doubts over his lack of club-level experience may rule him out.
‘I have it on good authority’: What someone who has worked with Kieran McKenna has said about him and the Celtic job https://t.co/uThsWzjdlE’
— Born (C)eltic (@born_celtic) November 5, 2025
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has indicated that Celtic are unlikely to appoint Bellamy, citing his focus on guiding Wales through the remainder of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
For McKenna, the timing could be pivotal. With Celtic seeking a modern, progressive coach and Ipswich facing mounting pressure to deliver in a competitive Championship, the stars may be aligning for a move — though much depends on how the next few weeks unfold on both fronts.
Should McKenna depart, it would represent another blow to the English second tier, which has already seen several bright young managers linked with top-flight or overseas jobs. But for Celtic, his arrival would mark a bold attempt to blend modern coaching philosophy with the club’s traditional attacking DNA, potentially ushering in a new era at Parkhead.
