Next Celtic manager contender with 'extraordinary' accolade ticks key Dermot Desmond box as boss claim made

The last manager left in eye-popping fashion - and one pundit reckons Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board will simply want a head coach to replace Brendan Rodgers.

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney are the current interim management duo at Parkhead after Brendan Rodgers resigned last month, and Desmond filleted him in a brutal club website post on his way out. It’s left Celtic seeking a new leader but Andy Walker isn’t sure the board will want someone like Rodgers, who challenged the board publicly with comments on Celtic recruitment.

One option is Kieran McKenna and his work at Ipswich Town has been heralded, having brought the Tractor Boys up from League One to the Premier League, albeit suffering relegation back to the Championship last campaign. His coaching work and the likes of Kjetil Knutsen at Bodo Glimt tick major shareholder Desmond and the rest of the board’s possible wish for a head coach, as they won’t want another gaffer challenging them.

Who does Dermot Desmond want as Celtic manager?

The former Celtic player told Go Radio: “I think it's interesting what the Celtic board, maybe just Dermot Desmond himself, what they're thinking. Why did you go and get Brendan Rodgers? I think they went for Brendan Rodgers because he was an elite manager. I think the first time round, the football was sparkling, very successful.

“I think he improved players that were already there. Obviously he left under a bit of a cloud and a lot of fans didn't like that, understandably. Why did they go and get him again? Because he's an elite manager and he wanted to try and take Celtic to a place in Europe where they hadn't been for a number of years. And whatever you think about Brendan Rodgers, he did that.

“I don't think they want a manager now. I don't think Celtic want anyone challenging them at boardroom level. It's a head coach with a wonderful CV, someone like Knutsen, someone like McKenna. I mean what he's done at Ipswich has been absolutely extraordinary.

Is Kieran McKenna a Celtic manager option?

“Extraordinary, and he has improved players, but will Celtic be able to get through to the Champions League? Get through to the knockout phase again anytime soon? Right now, I don't think so. I think the model, Celtic will go back to their model, and their model is very successful. Here's the players, go and work with them, and give us your best. I'm sure Celtic will get back to being a better footballing team.

“They've got an unexpected challenger this season in Hearts. I saw Hearts at the weekend. I think they're here to stay. I really like the way they play. I really like the options that they've got. Their manager absolutely knows what he's doing. So to go through the first 11 games, you've played everyone. You've beaten Celtic, you've beaten Rangers. OK, a couple of draws, but they are challengers.”

“I think Celtic are still favourites (for the Premiership title). They're nine adrift at the moment, obviously with a game in hand. I only won one title but I remember we went on a, I think we won about maybe 28, 29 games. Can Hearts win 28, 29 games? That's a lot but it's that type of form that you need. I like the look of hearts, but no real injury or suspensions as yet. Let's see where they are in the next 10 or 11 games. Right now I think Rangers again will improve. You can only imagine that they will do more or do better rather in the transfer window, but having looked at what Hearts have done in the transfer window, they have got players that are a big success.”