Celtic are continuing their search for a new manager and have spoken to candidates this week.
Following the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers last month, the Scottish giants have done their due diligence to bring in the right man for the job.
Celtic sit second in the Premier League at the time of writing, behind Hearts, who have been on a roll so far in the campaign.
However, the Hoops are still expected to win the title, with interim boss Martin O’Neill steadying the ship at Parkhead and keeping his side on the winning path with three domestic victories since taking over.
The Irishman will not be the regular gaffer as, at 73, he has already acknowledged that he may already be past that place in his career.
So the hunt continues with Kjetil Knutsen among the names of the Celtic boss candidates put forward in recent weeks.
Craig Bellamy and Nicky Hayen have both ruled themselves out so far, while Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy has been mentioned as an option.
But many fans are calling for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna to take charge in Glasgow and it is not particularly difficult to see why.
The Tractor Boys have gone from strength to strength over the past four years under 39-year-old McKenna, who has been the ideal man for the club.
His credentials are clearly visible and he was approached by both Chelsea and Crystal Palace last year as both clubs had their eyes on the young and ambitious coach.
That interest from the big clubs in the Premier League came after he led Ipswich to the top as second in the EFL Championship table in 2024.
And despite the relegation, the club stuck with their boss and are in the play-offs again this season, even though they are currently seventh in the division.
But how well does McKenna fit in at Celtic?
We at FootballBlog I’ve looked at his tactical plan and some other elements of his management style to refine it…
Why Kieran McKenna’s tactics suit Celtic
McKenna has had a fairly consistent set-up at Ipswich Town for most of his time at Portman Road.
The Northern Irishman uses a 4-2-3-1 system that would certainly suit the current team at Celtic Park.
The Hoops played a similar formation under Rodgers and have adapted the same model with their interim staff who appear to find tinkering unnecessary.
The two sitting positions in midfield would be ideal for captain Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate, while Benji Nygren would be more comfortable as a number 10 with a few wingers to choose from.
McKenna could also get the best out of Brentford transfer target Daizen Maeda if the Japanese decide to stay beyond January.
Rather than using the traditional high press that Celtic are known for in big games, McKenna prefers a counter press. However, that could work against him at Parkhead as the team is expected to have the lion’s share of possession.
It would take some time to get used to playing counter-attacks, instead of dominating.
Time for McKenna to take on a new challenge?
As we’ve noted, it’s been four years since Ipswich gave McKenna a chance at the big job he took on as a young coach at the age of 35.
He has competed in the EFL Championship and done well, but he has also experienced life in the Premier League, even if it was only for one season.
ITFC sit seventh in the league and have recorded six wins and five draws in their first fourteen league matches, including three defeats.
Celtic can offer the opportunity to challenge for league titles on a regular basis and their manager will have the opportunity to test himself on the European stage at the highest level in the Champions League and Europa League against elite coaches.
Celtic vs Rangers is also a match known around the world as one of the fiercest derbies anywhere, and the opportunity to achieve that doesn’t come around often.
Of course there is also the personal appeal of having grown up a Celtic supporter.
What Kieran McKenna said about Celtic Job
McKenna was recently asked directly about links to the vacancy at Celtic, but was cautious with his answer.
He didn’t reject the thought outright, but he did say, “It’s not something I’ve even kind of thought about and where, you know, part of my focus is this week, to be honest.”
“I know I have a very special job here at a special club, a huge football club that I have a great affinity with and we are in a very important season and a very important phase of the season.
“There’s a big week coming up, three big games starting on Saturday at QPR, so to be honest, everything outside of that hasn’t hit my radar this week.
“I haven’t had any of those conversations or anything like that.”
Speaking about being a Hoops fan, McKenna said: “Obviously we all grow up as football supporters. I think people are lucky enough to work in the game and have different affinity for different clubs.
“But as I said, I am really privileged to be in the position I am in now. I also know the size, the significance and the history of this football club.”
“And I think that when you are in the honorable position of leading this football club, there is no time or no space to think or discuss about other football clubs. You will settle and do your very best in the role you fill.
“I work here as if I’m going to be here forever, to be honest. I’ve been doing that since the first day I was here. We’re trying to do everything for the long-term good of the football club.”
“When I arrived it was always a long-term project. You hope it will be a long-term project that you will be involved in.
“But for the club it would be a long-term project. We are still in the middle of it.
“If you look outside you can see a lot of cranes and work going on there. It probably represents every part of the football club. I work as if I will always be manager of Ipswich.”
“I know that in reality it won’t be. There will be a stage in the future where I won’t be there for whatever reason. But it never detracts from trying to do the right thing every day for the long term of the club.”
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