Celtic 'could' convince ex Manchester United coach to become next manager as board sent ambition challenge
The Ipswich Town boss initially cut his managerial teeth at Manchester United and is now linked to Celtic.
A former Manchester United scout does not see an ex-Old Trafford coach being appointed as Celtic’s next manager in the realm of impossibility.
The Hoops are hunting for a long-term successor to Martin O’Neill who has replaced Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy at various times this term. Kieran McKenna is one name linked after cutting his teeth at Manchester United and since impressing in the dugout at Ipswich Town, who have just earned promotion to the English Premier League.
Mick Brown reckons the board, under fire for a lack of proactive recruitment at Celtic, have to show ambition in the transfer market if they are to hire a head coach like McKenna. The ex-Red Devils scout believes a sizeable budget is needed to get such a deal over the line.
Could Kieran McKenna become next Celtic manager?
Brown told Football Insider: “I don’t think it’s impossible, because Celtic are an attractive club. It’s not just about going up to Scotland, if you asked me whether Rangers could get him I would say no chance, but I think Celtic could convince him. If they went to him and said, look, here’s your budget, we’re going to spend big and sign new players to strengthen and really be ambitious, then maybe.
“They could dominate Scotland with McKenna in charge and the right investment, of course it’s just about whether the club are prepared to do it. Bringing in some top players alongside a top manager, with the ambition of going and competing in Europe as well, that could be tempting.
“It just depends on whether Celtic are prepared to be ambitious and offer that kind of thing to McKenna or any manager, or if they’re happy with where they are. You get the feeling that is the case, it’s why Brendan [Rodgers] left, so let’s see if that’s changed their minds at all.”
Kieran McKenna on returning to the Premier League at Ipswich Town
McKenna said after Ipswich Town’s promotion back to the Premier League after previously being in the division under his tenure: “I'm going to give myself a little bit of time before I think about that and just enjoy this one. The club's definitely in a better place. We came up so quick before. We had some brilliant people at the club, a really good culture, but in so many ways we were not ready for that step.
"I think the club, in pretty much every department, is in a much, much, much stronger position now. Those things add up. Of course, we know it's still a massive step and there's got to be a lot of good decisions made over the course of the summer.
"But I think the club is in a far, far, far stronger position than it was standing here two years ago. So that's a good base to hopefully have a big summer. I’m looking forward to a holiday! To be honest, I've not got much left to give as we stand here. We'll think about what comes next in a week or two's time.”
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