Exclusive: Why Kieran McKenna switching Ipswich Town for Celtic would be a surprise - Sky Sports man | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys boss has been linked with yet another high-profile vacancy

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that Kieran McKenna would most likely turn down the high-profile vacancy at Celtic, as the Northern Irishman is linked with yet another potential departure from his current employers, Ipswich Town.

McKenna has overseen a major transformation at Portman Road as he approaches four years in charge, having taken over from Paul Cook in December 2021 during a difficult period for the club, but one which he was able to eventually navigate through prior to achieving a handful of remarkable feats in Suffolk.

After achieving back-to-back promotions from League One, straight through the Championship and into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, the 39-year-old has been linked with several vacancies within the past two years, and that has only continued in the past 24 hours or so, when it was confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had resigned at Parkhead following a 3-1 defeat to league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon.

Martin O'Neill has now taken interim charge of the green and white side of Glasgow, some 20 years after resigning for personal reasons, and he has been joined by former Wigan Athletic boss, Shaun Maloney for the time being.

Several names have become linked with the job in the long run, with McKenna falling into said category, just weeks after he was also among the potential favourites to take over at the Bhoys' Old Firm rivals, Rangers, who eventually resolved their own managerial saga with the appointment of Danny Rohl.

However, Hendrie believes the ex-Manchester United figure isn't likely to be swayed by the appeal of managing one of British football's most high-profile institutions at present.

Lee Hendrie backs Kieran McKenna to stay at Ipswich Town amid Celtic FC managerial links

Despite being linked with clubs such as Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea in recent times, McKenna has stayed loyal to the Blues in recent times, and is still under contract in East Anglia until 2028.

Although Town were tipped by many to win the Championship title, it has been an inconsistent return to the EFL for them, regardless of the talent at his disposal across all areas of the squad.

A 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunchtime saw them return to the second tier's top half for the time being, before the latest uncertainties surrounding McKenna's long-term future came to the fore.

As previously mentioned, he is one of several names linked with the Celtic job alongside the likes of Wales head coach, Craig Bellamy and Ange Postecoglou, who has endured mixed fortunes ever since leaving the club in 2023, whilst it has been claimed that the SPFL giants would also have to part with over £5m to lure McKenna away from Portman Road.

Regardless, Hendrie believes McKenna will look to continue the current rebuilding job he is undergoing, despite the pull of European football and managing a club of such global stature.

"Kieran McKenna's a very good manager," the former Aston Villa midfielder exclusively told Football League World. "There's no doubt about that. Given what he's done at Ipswich, that's probably forced that little bit of attraction.

"I don't think, personally, he'll step away. I really don't," the EFL expert claimed.

"I think Ipswich are still in, relatively, a good place where they can start to push forward. I think this season's Championship is there for the taking if they can get some momentum with the squad he's got.

"I don't think he'll be tempted away from Ipswich," Hendrie added. "I'd be surprised.

"I think it's going to take a little bit more to prize him away, as he knows how much potential is there."

Ipswich Town supporters may be split on Kieran McKenna, Celtic links

No one associated with Ipswich can dispute the success which McKenna reinstilled within the club between 2022 and 2024, making them a real force to be reckoned with within the EFL.

It has also been well-documented how his stock has remained high on the managerial circuit despite Town's relegation last season, with there being several examples of how McKenna has significantly aided the progression of young and experienced players such as Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson and most recently, Jaden Philogene.

As Hendrie alluded to, the Championship remains wide-open heading into the winter months, which remains a major benefit to the Tractor Boys after an inconsistent start - one which many supporters and outsiders weren't expecting either.

As such, those on the terraces at Portman Road may be split in their opinion regarding the latest departure links concerning McKenna, albeit it would also be intriguing as to who Mark Ashton would target himself if such circumstances played out in the coming days.