Next Celtic manager: Kieran McKenna says his focus is solely on Ipswich Town for short, medium and long-term | Football News

Kieran McKenna says his current focus is solely on Ipswich in the short, medium and long term amid links to the Celtic job – and revealed there has been no approach from the Scottish champions.

Sky Sports News It was revealed this week that McKenna is one of the candidates to replace Brendan Rodgers as Celtic’s permanent manager. The Irishman is contracted to Portman Road until 2028 and Sky Sports News He understands that Ipswich does not want to lose their boss.

Speaking for the first time since the rumors surfaced, McKenna admitted he had not been approached – nor considered the Celtic vacancy.

“I haven’t thought about it,” McKenna said ahead of Ipswich’s Championship match against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. “There’s no part of my focus this week to be honest.

“I know I have a really special job here at a huge, special football club that I have a great connection to.

“We are in a really important season and stage of the season. We have a big week coming up, three big games starting with QPR.

“Honestly, anything outside of that hasn’t crossed my radar. I’ve been 100 percent committed to the group here, helping the guys get ready for the game.”

When asked if Celtic had approached him, McKenna replied: “I haven’t had any of those conversations or anything like that. My focus has been purely here.”

He added: “I work here as if I will stay here forever, and that is what I have done since the first day I was here. I will try to do everything for the long-term benefit of the football club.”

“I act as if I will always be an Ipswich manager. I know in reality I won’t be, for whatever reason.”

Sky Sports News He understands that although Ipswich would not stand in McKenna’s way if he expressed a desire to leave, it would require a compensation fee of around £5m to get him.

Asked about these terms, McKenna said: “These things are usually contractual. I don’t think there are a lot of informal handshakes.

“In every coach’s contract there are some contractual things, I can’t even tell you what my terms are to be honest. If I knew, I wouldn’t tell you but I don’t know what they are! That’s not my focus. My focus is just on [training] This morning’s session.”

This isn’t the first time McKenna has been linked to a remote job through Portman. When the Tractor Boys were promoted to the Premier League in 2024, the 39-year-old was linked with moves to Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United within weeks.

“There have been a few instances over the last few years – some public, some not-so-public – where there has been interest from different clubs, which is what happens when things are going well,” McKenna said.

“But I think I’ve shown that I really respect being a manager of this club and I’m really committed to the project and the people here and I want to do a really good job in this job.

“I’d like to think that’s been pretty evident in the last few years. I’m definitely focused on the job I do in the short, medium and long term.”

“We all have our affinities” – McKenna on Celtic fan whispers

It was rumored that McKenna grew up supporting Celtic but the Ipswich boss was not drawn to the claims.

“We all grew up as football fans and I think people are lucky enough to work in the game and have an attachment to certain clubs,” McKenna said.

“But I feel really proud to be in the position I am in now. I know the size, the importance and the history of this football club as well.

“When you are in a position to run this football club, there will be no time or space to think or discuss any other football club, other than to do your best in the role you hold.

“naturally [Celtic] It is a really big football club. We all have our affinities, and I don’t think everyone should announce who we are and the clubs we support and follow. But it’s a really big football club.

“But with the international break starting, we’ve got three big games coming up, and I haven’t had a chance to watch a lot of football. I haven’t even watched the Carabao Cup or anything apart from all the QPR games this season.”

In response to a question about his opinion on Celtic’s decision to appoint Martin O’Neill as interim coach, McKenna said: “It is something that I have not followed much. I was coaching his nephew, and this is the closest contact I have with Martin O’Neill! There are no other big links there.”

“I saw they had a good result last night, other than that, they are trying to prepare for QPR.”

Ange is unlikely to return to Celtic

Meanwhile, Angie Postecoglou He is unlikely to become the next Celtic manager, Sky Sports News Understands.

The club were keen to explore the idea of ​​the Australian returning, however Sky Sports News It is believed that interest will definitely not advance at this time.

Club Brugge coach Nikki Hine He is another coach that Celtic have been following for some time, and last night, he did not rule out the possibility of joining Celtic when asked by reporters.

talking to Sporza After a 6-1 win over Eendracht Aalst, Heine said: “I’ve said before that I know I’m on the lists, even though I don’t know which ones.

“As long as there’s nothing concrete, I don’t need to know about it. I’m happy here and I want to work hard to win my 20th national title. That’s still my goal.”

When pressed again about his Celtic links, he said: “Never say never in football, but I’m happy here. As long as you have mutual trust between me and the club, there’s nothing wrong.”

Former Celtic striker Robbie Kane And the former coach Damien Duff are also present in the framework and are evaluated. Both Irishmen have strong ties to major shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Kane is currently coaching Ferencvaros, where he won the Hungarian League title last season. He also won the Israeli League the previous season with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Duff was highly rated as a coach at Celtic and left the club in 2020 to become assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national team.

He went on to coach Shelbourne and won the Irish League in 2024, before leaving earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Welsh president Craig Bellamy – who played for Celtic in 2005 – and Bodo/Glimt Ketil Knutsen They are among other coaches that the club admires and considers as targets.