UPDATE: Just confirmed, Celtic’s pursuit of Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is rapidly cooling, sparking excitement among Town fans. Initial reports indicated McKenna was a leading candidate to replace Brendan Rodgers, who resigned just a day before this news broke.
According to The Daily Record, Celtic would need to pay over £5 million to secure McKenna and his coaching staff, a hefty sum that appears to have deterred the Scottish giants. As a result, Celtic may continue with interim managers Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for the foreseeable future.
In a fresh update, it has been revealed that McKenna’s standing has significantly diminished within Celtic’s boardroom. Once considered an early favorite, the club’s enthusiasm for his candidacy has markedly declined. The financial implications of a potential transfer have played a substantial role in this shift.
This development comes as fantastic news for Ipswich Town supporters, who can breathe a sigh of relief. With McKenna seemingly off Celtic’s radar, the club is now exploring alternative managerial candidates. Among those being considered are Wilfried Nancy of Columbus Crew, Brian Barry-Murphy of Cardiff City, and Kjetil Knutsen of Bodo Glimt. Additionally, former Celtic loanee Robbie Keane is also reportedly in the mix.
McKenna, who has been vocal about his commitment to Ipswich, previously dismissed rumors linking him to Celtic. Ahead of Ipswich’s decisive 4-1 victory against QPR, he stated, “It’s not something I’ve given any thought to… My focus is just on Ipswich.” This sentiment underscores his dedication to leading the club back to the top-flight.
Since their win at Loftus Road, Ipswich has extended their unbeaten streak to four games, solidifying their position in the Championship. With McKenna now free to concentrate fully on Ipswich, fans are optimistic about the club’s prospects.
As Celtic pivots to other managerial options, this ongoing situation will be closely watched. The turmoil in Scottish football continues to evolve, and Ipswich fans can take comfort in knowing their manager is staying put for the time being.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
