Celtic ‘have the money’ to overcome Kieran McKenna ‘hurdle’ | OneFootball

From what I’m hearing’ – Celtic ‘have the money’ to overcome Kieran McKenna compensation  ‘hurdle’…if it is still valid!

Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, inspects the pitch prior to the Championship match between Southampton and Ipswich Town at St Mary’s Stadium on April 28, 2026 (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Celtic would not be deterred by the multi million compensation figure attached to managerial target Kieran McKenna if Martin O’Neill decides to step down during the international break.

There has even been reports that the compensation to Ipswich Town might not have to be paid at all but if it is you can imagine that Celtic would haggle on the price.

Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, acknowledges the fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town at The Valley on April 22, 2026 . (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Highly regarded McKenna has been heavily linked with the Celtic job once again in recent weeks.

The 40-year-old had the multi-million clause in his contract with various reports stating that it’s £7m and others £8m – that  came about after he opted to step down from his role at Ipswich Town manager this summer in order to take a break from football altogether.

Having won the Championship at Ipswich it seemed to be a strange decision not to take his chance to manage in the Premier League Many now reckon that Kieran McKenna will be back in the game sooner rather than later.

Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, acknowledges the fans following the teams promotion to the Premier League after the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road on May 02, 2026. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

A Celtic move for McKenna is a realistic option

And according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, despite believing McKenna has his eyes focused on a return to the English Premier League, he’s adamant that the Scottish champions have the financial muscle required to make a Celtic move for McKenna a realistic option.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football insider’s Inside Track podcast Wyness explained how McKenna’s compensation clause is a “hurdle” that Celtic could feasibly overcome, if it is still there of course! Read Celtic claimed this week that the compensation sum was now not payable at all. Maybe a bit of wishful thunking there?

“Well to me, McKenna would have been a no-brainer, but again I’m hearing that despite the fact he’s left Ipswich, there is still a clause that if he takes employment for a year, there would be an £8m compensation payment,” he said.

“Now £8m for Celtic is a lot to pay for a manager. They may be forced into paying it, and they’ve got the money to do it. But it does seem as though that’s something that is a bit of a hurdle for them.

“To be honest, I’d be surprised if he would take it because I think he’s got a chance of getting a Premier League slot at some stage. So it may not be him, but certainly experience rather than bringing somebody from the MLS, which they tried before with significant failure.”

Don’t remind us of that please!

Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales, with Jorge Jesus, Head Coach of Portugal, before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Portugal and Wales at Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 24, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

The case for Craig Bellamy was put by Conall McGinty

Yesterday on Celtic Shorts my colleague Conall McGinty outlined a compelling and well thought out argument for Craig Bellamy to take over at Celtic if Martin O’Neill decides to leave.

To me either Bellamy or McKenna would be good choices as both could modernise Celtic tactically and bring back the enthusiasm among the supporters. There’s also the possibility that Celtic could try again to lure Eddie Howe and his reluctant coaching staff north of the border.

Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

We’ll look at the one next on Celtic Shorts…

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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