What Kieran McKenna said on his Ipswich Town future as Celtic drama unfolds

Kieran McKenna emerged as a potential candidate for the Celtic head coach position following the resignation of fellow Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers, although the Scottish champions ultimately opted to appoint French coach Wilfried Nancy — a decision that has so far failed to deliver the desired results.

Since taking charge of Ipswich Town in December 2021 in his first senior managerial role, McKenna has overseen a remarkable rise, guiding the club to consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League. As a result, his position at Portman Road has never truly been under threat.

Even after Ipswich’s immediate relegation back to the Championship last season, there was no serious doubt surrounding McKenna’s future.

While the Tractor Boys have not quite reached the levels many anticipated this term, the 39-year-old’s standing within the club remains secure.

That said, Rodgers’ exit from Celtic reignited speculation, with McKenna reportedly among those considered before the Hoops settled on Nancy.

The Frenchman, whose managerial experience prior to the move was limited to CF Montréal and Columbus Crew, has endured a torrid start in Glasgow.

Nancy has lost all four of his opening matches at Celtic Park, becoming the first manager in the club’s history to begin his reign with four consecutive defeats. With pressure already mounting, McKenna’s name has once again been linked to the role should Celtic decide to make another change.

When first asked about the Celtic links in late October, McKenna was quick to dismiss any talk of a move away from Suffolk.

He insisted his focus remained entirely on Ipswich, describing his role at Portman Road as a “special” one and stressing his long-term commitment to the club.

“I work here as if I’m going to be here forever,” McKenna said at the time, reaffirming his determination to act in the best long-term interests of Ipswich Town.

Any attempt to prise him away would also come at a significant cost. Reports suggest Ipswich would demand at least £5 million in compensation, after McKenna signed a new four-year contract in May 2024 following promotion to the Premier League.

While Ipswich have not yet rediscovered the form and cohesion that defined their promotion-winning sides of recent seasons, McKenna has openly acknowledged the challenges his squad is facing.

After a late draw with Blackburn Rovers earlier this month, he admitted that this group is still searching for the chemistry that previously set them apart.

Although Ipswich’s underlying statistics remain strong — creating more chances and conceding fewer than in previous campaigns — McKenna believes something intangible is missing, a level of connection that cannot be easily replicated.

He has also pointed to issues with resilience, particularly when falling behind in matches. That weakness was evident in the recent 3–1 defeat to Leicester City, after which McKenna admitted his side still has work to do in responding to setbacks.

With Ipswich struggling to fully match their lofty ambitions and Celtic’s situation remaining uncertain, it is possible that the Scottish giants could revisit their interest in McKenna if Nancy’s tenure continues to unravel.

Should Ipswich’s difficulties persist, McKenna himself may become more receptive to a new challenge.

Losing McKenna, however, would represent a major blow for Ipswich Town. Despite their inconsistent form, he retains enormous goodwill among supporters, with his role in transforming the club on and off the pitch impossible to overlook.

Beyond the results, McKenna has been central to Ipswich’s recruitment strategy and financial recovery after years spent in the third tier.

He has brought much-needed stability and has become the club’s longest-serving head coach since Mick McCarthy.

Replacing him would be a daunting task. McKenna knows the squad inside out, having helped assemble it himself, and has Ipswich sitting in the play-off places despite their struggles.

There remains a strong belief that he can once again lead the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League.