Celtic have been told they could “convince” a three-time promotion winning manager to move to Parkhead as a replacement for Martin O’Neill.
O’Neill drops hint on Celtic future
O’Neill has done a remarkable job to get the Hoops back in the Scottish Premiership title race, during his second stint as interim manager this season, with his side winning their last six league matches on the spin.
As such, the Glasgow giants will be crowned champions if they defeat Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday, having moved just one point adrift of Derek McInnes’ side with a dramatic late 3-2 victory at Motherwell on Wednesday.
O’Neill’s side also have a great chance of winning the Scottish Cup, with Championship side Dunfermine Athletic waiting in the final, which is due to take place on May 23rd.
However, despite the 74-year-old’s success, he has strongly hinted he will be leaving in the summer. When asked whether there was any chance the recent Glasgow Derby against Rangers wouldn’t be his final one in charge, O’Neill said: “I would have thought… that would well and truly be the last one. I’m not so sure that your heart can take any more of these derby games.”
Celtic backed to appoint Kieran McKenna
As such, Dermot Desmond & co will have to bring in a replacement this summer, and they have now been backed to appoint Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, who recently won promotion to the Premier League for the second time.
The Hoops have been locked in an intense title race with Rangers and Hearts this season, but former scout Mick Brown told Football lnsider McKenna would dominate their Scottish rivals.
“I don’t think it’s impossible, because Celtic are an attractive club. It’s not just about going up to Scotland, if you asked me whether Rangers could get him I would say no chance, but I think Celtic could convince him.
“If they went to him and said, look, here’s your budget, we’re going to spend big and sign new players to strengthen and really be ambitious, then maybe. They could dominate Scotland with McKenna in charge and the right investment, of course it’s just about whether the club are prepared to do it.”
Kieran McKenna’s record as Ipswich Town manager
- 222 matches
- 106 wins
- 60 draws
- 56 defeats
- 1.70 points per game
- Two promotions to the Premier League
The Englishman has no experience competing for major trophies, but he certainly knows how to instill a winning mentality, having twice won automatic promotion to the top flight with the Tractor Boys, while also going up from League One in 2023.
At 40-years-old, McKenna, who prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 system, is still young for a manager, and he has been lauded by Ipswich skipper Dara O’Shea for his most recent achievement, with the Irishman saying: “It’s legendary status. To do that at any level is unbelievable. To do it at the level he’s done, it’s hard. You can’t really put that into words.
“I think everybody at this club knows how much he means to Ipswich. He is Ipswich. He’s what made this club successful in recent years and we’re so grateful to have him. I’m so, so grateful to work under him.”
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Martin O’Neill is about to wave goodbye for the third time.
