Celtic Links With 40-Year-Old Manager Surfaces After His Latest Comments: Can He Replace O’Neill?

Celtic Links With 40-Year-Old Manager Surfaces After His Latest Comments: Can He Replace O’Neill? The Daily Record reports that Celtic have renewed interest in Kieran McKenna after the former Ipswich Town manager outlined the kind of project he wants next. McKenna left Ipswich in June after leading the club back to the Premier League, completing three promotions during his four-and-a-half years at Portman Road. Rather than accepting another job, the 40-year-old chose a break from management and has spent months learning from clubs and sporting organisations before starting work as a UEFA technical observer. That role begins with Shakhtar Donetsk against AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge, giving McKenna another chance to study the game from a new angle. Still, his latest comments suggest he has no intention of staying away from the dugout forever. “I’m always going to want to be somewhere where I can improve players, play attacking football and win games,” McKenna told The Guardian. He then added that he wants a connection with a club and its community, while trying to build something memorable. Those words will interest Celtic fans. The club previously wanted McKenna, but he stayed at Ipswich after taking them back into the Premier League. Now, his comments have reopened the conversation, especially with Martin O’Neill working on a one-year contract with an option for another season. Could Celtic hand McKenna the reins after Martin O’Neill? SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, inspects the pitch prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Southampton and Ipswich Town at St Mary’s Stadium on April 28, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) For now, Celtic have no reason to force the issue. O’Neill has committed himself to the job after a difficult spell that included three consecutive defeats, with two losses against Rangers . Yet the experienced manager remains focused on defending Celtic’s domestic position, and the club still sits near the top of the Premiership. McKenna would offer a very different profile. His Ipswich sides played with intensity, pressed aggressively and attacked with purpose, while his promotion record gave him evidence of handling pressure. There is another factor. McGeady claimed he had heard McKenna could be lined up for Celtic next year, while mentioning a reported Ipswich salary of £6m per year. That figure has not been independently established, so it should not be treated as a confirmed demand. Celtic can therefore keep McKenna on the shortlist without allowing the speculation to distract from O’Neill’s task. The former Ipswich boss wants his next club to give him room to build, but he has made clear that short-term results still matter. For Celtic, that balance could make the Irishman an attractive option if the club chooses a change after the season.