Rangers hold talks with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna | OneFootball

Rangers show keen interest in Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna after Russell Martin axe

Rangers have held talks with Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna in search of their Russell Martin replacement in the dugout at Ibrox.

After taking the reins at Ipswich Town in December 2021, the meteoric rise of the Tractor Boys led by Kieran McKenna has meant that the Northern Irishman has quickly become one of the most highly regarded managers in the Championship, with it seeming as though he's never too far away from another exit link.

The former Manchester United assistant was tipped with a move away from Portman Road not too long ago, as Premier League outfit West Ham were keen for his services. However, with the eventual appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo, it kept McKenna's job under wraps for the time being.

Fast-forward to now, and Scottish Premiership side Rangers are the latest to have McKenna on their shortlist after the sacking of Russell Martin over a week ago, as revealed by TEAMTALK.

With time ticking down as to find a replacement for Martin after a below-par start to the season for the Gers, the club are under immense pressure to finalise who will lead the new era at Ibrox - and it could well be the Ipswich boss.

Kierann McKenna linked with a move to Rangers

As per TEAMTALK, Ipswich boss McKenna has been among the list of news to fill the void left by the outgoing Martin. With other names floating around, such as the likes of Danny Rohl, and ex-Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, it has sparked mixed opinions amongst Rangers fans as to who they would like to steer them back on track.

It's been a season of turmoil so far for Rangers who, after having their sights set on winning the league title, currently find themselves 11 points off that feat, 11 points of the leaders, Hearts.

As for a fan's point of view, the links with McKenna will sure excite Rangers supporters who will know what he has achieved with Ipswich after guiding them to the top-flight of English football. However, as for the Tractor Boys, they will hope to retain their reliable head coach for time to come, as they seek out an immediate return to the Premier League.

McKenna could well be swayed by the job opportunity proposed to him if the links grow stronger due to losing some big names in the summer in Suffolk, and also a chance to make a name for himself on a personal note in a European competition with Rangers.

With Ipswich now just six points off table toppers Coventry City after a slow start to the season, it will be interesting to see whether the 39-year-old manager wants to continue making steady progress with the side he has been contracted to for nearly four years, or whether it's time for new beginnings - We will shortly find out.

Ipswich will find it hard to replace Kieran McKenna if his Rangers exit comes to fruition

After facing the drop back down to the Championship last season with a 19th place finish and merely ending on 22 points, the step-up to the top tier seemed to be all too much for Ipswich, but it hasn't dented their hopes of reaching those heights again, after showing quality form in recent weeks.

With vital wins against Sheffield United and Portsmouth before a memorable 3-1 victory over their local rivals Norwich City, spirits are high all around Portman Road, and a potential exit of McKenna would for sure dampen the mood.

Rangers have been monitoring many names for the job, as aforementioned. Therefore, McKenna's links shouldn't cause too much concern for Ipswich fans as they have been used to this story for a while now. But, with the Northern Irishman being linked with West Ham and now Rangers in such a short space of time, he is clearly a man that is being head-hunted to go onto bigger and better things.

His tenure in Suffolk has been exceptional to say the least, but as for the here and now, Ipswich supporters will feel that the script is not yet fully written and will hope for their beloved manager to stick around in the midst of a promotion push.