Wilfried Nancy’s name is stealing the headlines right now.
But another name being linked with the Celtic managerial job is Ipswich Town boss, Kieran McKenna.
From Wales boss Craig Bellamy to Nancy at Columbus Crew, all the men linked with the Celtic gig have provided typical responses to the rumours, and that’s staying loyal to their cause.
But of course, you don’t know how an individual would act once Celtic officially knock on that door, but as the champions of Scotland draw up their shortlist, would they put the money on the table to bring McKenna in?
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty ImagesWould Celtic pay Ipswich Town compensation to get in Kieran McKenna?
It has been suggested that if Celtic want to appoint McKenna, they would have to pay Ipswich, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, ‘£5 million’ in compensation.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, that topic was brought up by the host, and journalist Roger Hannah stated it’s ‘possible’ Celtic do put their money where their mouth is regarding the Northern Irishman’s services.
Gordon Duncan: “I still see Kieran McKenna’s name, and I am not going to say, ‘it’s not going to be Kieran McKenna.’ Then I look daft when he rocks up and has his scarf above his head.
“By all accounts, it takes £5 million to get Kieran McKenna. Also, by all accounts, Kieran McKenna, currently in the Championship, earns a good bit more, I would go so far as to say far more, than Brendan Rodgers earned at Celtic. And Brendan Rodgers was a famously well-paid Celtic manager.
“Is it even possible, financially, to get Kieran McKenna?”
Hannah: “Listen, it’s possible. Whether there is a will there among the Celtic board to spend as highly as that on Kieran McKenna, when you could perhaps get another candidate for a significantly lesser sum.
“Yet, you are minimising the financial gamble you are taking, at that stage.”
Everything is pointing towards Wilfried Nancy
Of course, things can change pretty quickly, and Celtic have recently held meetings in London with potential targets.
But from the perspective of Hannah, he thinks Nancy is the man in the driving seat, as Celtic’s search for a new boss continues.
“At the moment, it’s all pointing towards Wilfried Nancy,” stated Hannah. “But I am sure I said that with Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat (going to Rangers) a month ago.
“We don’t know if the talks with him (Nancy) were in London, no, we don’t know that.”