Ipswich Town handed potential Kieran McKenna boost as two fresh Celtic manager candidates emerge | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Celtic

Ange Postecoglou and Craig Bellamy are also in the frame alongside Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna for the managerial vacancy at Celtic.

According to Sky Sports, the two coaches - both of whom have past connections to the Hoops - have emerged as contenders for the role on Wednesday morning, with the search underway for a replacement for Brendan Rodgers.

The 52-year-old shocked the Glasgow outfit on Monday evening by handing in his resignation after their 3-1 loss to surprise Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

The defeat has left the title holders eight points adrift from top spot, with their grasp on the championship slipping in these early stages of the campaign.

Martin O’Neill has been handed the reins as a temporary replacement for Rodgers, some 20 years after leaving Celtic Park in the first place, but a permanent option is being sought.

Celtic widen managerial search amid Kieran McKenna links

McKenna remains a front-runner to replace Rodgers at Parkhead, but he is not the only man on Celtic’s shortlist.

Former manager Postecoglou is also reportedly being considered, with the Australian currently available after his 39-day stint at Nottingham Forest came to an end earlier this month.

The 60-year-old previously enjoyed a strong stint with the Bhoys, winning two league titles, as well as the Scottish Cup, but it remains to be seen whether he could be convinced to come back.

Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy is also understood to be of interest at Celtic, with the former winger previously spending a brief stint on loan with the club back in 2005.

Celtic are also monitoring Kjetil Knutsen and Nick Hayen from Bodo/Glimt and Club Brugge respectively, but it’s believed that luring either man mid-season could prove quite tricky.

The Premiership side are also expecting a similar issue if they approach Ipswich for McKenna, with the Northern Irishman likely needing to be persuaded to leave Portman Road in the middle of a promotion push.

Ipswich Town must hold firm on any Celtic interest in Kieran McKenna

Whether or not McKenna would be open to a move to Celtic, Ipswich must hold firm in their stance to keep him.

The Northern Irishman is so important to the club, and his departure midway through the season would be a real blow to their promotion ambitions.

He has previously turned down moves away from Portman Road to the likes of Brighton and Chelsea, which should give supporters some optimism that he will stay.

With the likes of Postecoglou and Bellamy also in the frame, it gives some confidence to Ipswich that McKenna’s appointment is far from a foregone conclusion, and a return for the Australian may prove the most logical choice at this particular moment.