‘If I’m honest…’ – Matt Le Tissier shares verdict on Celtic completing Kieran McKenna deal
Kieran McKenna is the standout option when it comes to the next permanent Celtic manager as they weigh up whether to activate his Ipswich release clause.
That is the verdict of Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who has exclusively told Football Insider that he thinks the Ipswich Town boss will be a top manager in the future and would do well at Celtic if he was appointed.
Celtic‘s turbulent season took a surprise turn last Monday (27 October) night as it was announced that Brendan Rodgers had left the club after handing in his resignation.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is believed to be a leading candidate for the vacant role in the eyes of the Celtic board amid an impressive spell in charge at Portman Road.
He led Ipswich to successive promotions in 2022-23 and 2023-24 as they returned to the Premier League after 22 years away, but they were relegated last season and currently sit ninth in the Championship.
McKenna is a leading contender to take over at Celtic
Martin O’Neill has taken interim charge of the Hoops following Rodgers’ exit, and has done well so far with successive wins against Falkirk and Rangers.
McKenna would reportedly take real convincing to leave Ipswich right now with the season underway, but he is still liked by the Celtic board as they seek a new permanent appointment.
Football Insider have revealed that, despite some apprehension, McKenna is still open to the Celtic job, yet any deal that sees him leave Portman Road will not be easy to settle.
Celtic’s chiefs are weighing up whether to activate McKenna’s release clause in his Ipswich contract, and they may end up settling with O’Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney until the end of the season.
Le Tissier backs McKenna for Celtic success with potential surprise appointment on the horizon
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former England and Southampton striker Le Tissier insisted that McKenna would be a smart appointment for the Glasgow giants and admitted that he can see him doing well as a manager in the years to come.
“I think Kieran (McKenna) is a very good manager. I know he obviously had a relegation from the Premier League, but that was pretty tough given the squad that he’d got at Ipswich there.
“So I think he’d be a pretty good choice for Celtic, if I’m honest. I like him. I think he’s got a big future ahead of him.
“There’s plenty of other names that have been bandied about. In fact, I think I saw somebody throwing Will Still’s name into the frame, which is interesting, considering what’s happened at Southampton this season.
“The managerial merry-go-round is always fascinating. Sometimes, you know, decisions are made and I look at them and go, well, where did they pick that one from? You know, like Rangers with Russell Martin. I looked at that and went, really?”