Celtic Must Move for Kieran McKenna After £5m Barrier Disappears

Celtic must make Kieran McKenna their priority if Martin O’Neill decides that the time has come to step away.

This is not another fashionable name with little substance behind him. McKenna is one of the most highly regarded young coaches in British football, and his achievements at Ipswich Town deserve serious attention.

The remarkable part is that Celtic can now approach him without paying compensation.

When McKenna was linked with the Celtic position in October 2025, reports suggested extracting him from Ipswich could cost approximately £5 million. He left Portman Road in June and is presently unattached.

Dermot Desmond would therefore be negotiating directly with McKenna rather than another club. For a Celtic board that frequently stresses financial prudence, this is precisely the kind of opportunity it should recognise.

Celtic and Kieran McKenna already have a connection

McKenna was reportedly high on Celtic’s wanted list after Brendan Rodgers resigned last year. When questioned about the speculation, he did not dismiss Celtic or distance himself from the club.

“It’s a really big club,” McKenna said, while adding: “We all have our affinities.”

That was not a declaration that he wanted the position. However, it demonstrated respect for Celtic’s history, stature and significance.

McKenna was born in London but raised in County Fermanagh. A hip injury ended his playing career at only 22, forcing him to take a different route into football.

He studied sports science before coaching within Tottenham Hotspur’s academy. He subsequently joined Manchester United, winning the Under-18 Premier League Northern Division before working with José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick.

Former Tottenham coach Clive Allen once described him as intelligent and articulate, predicting: “Don’t be surprised if Kieran rises to the top.”

That prediction has proved remarkably accurate.

Why Kieran McKenna fits Celtic

McKenna inherited an Ipswich side sitting in League One in December 2021. Across his first two complete seasons, Ipswich collected 194 league points and scored 193 goals.

His first promotion team amassed 98 points and scored 101 times. Ipswich then produced 96 points and 92 goals in the Championship, defeating clubs with far larger budgets to secure consecutive promotions.

After relegation from the Premier League, McKenna rebuilt the squad and immediately returned Ipswich to the top flight. That gave him three promotions in four seasons.

His complete Ipswich record was 222 matches, 106 victories, 60 draws and 56 defeats. That represents a win rate of approximately 48 per cent across several competitive levels.

The football would also suit Celtic. McKenna generally favours a 4-2-3-1 formation with a double midfield pivot. His teams build patiently from defence, create overloads in wide areas and press aggressively after losing possession.

During Ipswich’s 2022/23 promotion season, they recorded the most possession and completed the most passes in League One. His final Championship side averaged 56 per cent possession, created 2.7 big chances per match and registered 16 clean sheets before its last fixture.

Those principles translate naturally to a Celtic team expected to dominate possession and break down organised domestic opponents.

Key takeaways:

• Three promotions in four seasons.
• Available without compensation.
• Proven record of developing players.
• Modern, possession-based attacking football.
• Previous experience at Manchester United.
• Reported Celtic interest already exists.

There will be competition. McKenna has previously attracted interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton. Waiting could allow another English club to move first.

Celtic require more than another temporary solution. They need a young, ambitious manager capable of rebuilding the team and restoring a recognisable footballing identity.

McKenna is available. The £5 million obstacle has disappeared. Dermot Desmond should go and get him.