Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is a candidate for the vacant Celtic job, talkSPORT understands.
Although Ange Postecoglou has emerged as the bookies’ favourite, sources close to the former Celtic boss have downplayed a return to Parkhead.
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McKenna is in the running to succeed Brendan Rodgers as Celtic managerCredit: Getty
Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney have been placed in temporary charge, with the former telling talkSPORT’s Jim White he was only offered the opportunity on Monday evening and it came as ‘a shock’.
McKenna led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions, but after being relegated from the Premier League last season, Town are now 12th in the Championship.
McKenna is under contract with the Championship club until 2028. Should an approach be made by Celtic, Ipswich would fight to keep him.
CEO Mark Ashton has a strong relationship with the Ipswich boss, who remains backed to make a push for promotion this season.
talkSPORT has learned McKenna has the backing of O’Neill, and this has been communicated to Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.
The 39-year-old has been in charge at Portman Road since 2021, having taken over with the club in League One.
His coaching career has also included spells at Tottenham and Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Postecoglou won back-to-back league titles during his two years as Celtic boss.
The Australian left the club in 2023 to take charge of Tottenham but is now without a club.
He was dismissed by Nottingham Forest earlier this month after just 39 days in charge.
Fellow former Celtic manager O’Neill has been appointed interim manager following Rodgers’ exit.
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Postecoglou is the current bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Celtic managerCredit: Getty
His first match in the role will see the Scottish giants host Falkirk on Wednesday night.
They then face Old Firm rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals at Hampden Park on Sunday.
O’Neill has admitted he was surprised to be asked to return to the club by Desmond.
Speaking to White on Tuesday morning, he explained: “I got a call late afternoon, early evening yesterday from Celtic from Dermot Desmond, and Dermot asked me would I step in because Brendan had resigned from the football club.
“It’s obviously the kind of shock news really as much as anything else. Shocked me as well too.
“But just to step into the breach and just do it on a short-term basis until a permanent manager is appointed.”
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O’Neill was confirmed as interim manager following Rodgers’ resignation on MondayCredit: Getty
O’Neill won three league titles in five years during his first spell at Celtic Park.
He also guided the club to the UEFA Cup final, where they were beaten by Porto, in 2003.
More to follow.