Martin O’neill Rules Out Long Celtic Stay As Kieran Mckenna Emerges As Candidate

Martin O’Neill has insisted his return to Celtic will beryllium “short term” arsenic nan Ipswich manager, Kieran McKenna, emerged arsenic a campaigner to switch Brendan Rodgers.

In a daze move connected Monday evening, Rodgers resigned from Celtic pinch his squad 8 points adrift of Hearts successful nan Scottish Premiership. Equally astonishing was nan return of O’Neill, whose previous, hugely successful spell successful complaint ended successful 2005. The 73-year-old said he had to “pull myself disconnected nan floor” erstwhile taking a telephone from nan club’s main shareholder, Dermot Desmond. Rodgers was castigated by Desmond successful a connection posted connected Celtic’s website wrong 15 minutes of nan manager’s departure being confirmed.

Ange Postecoglou was instantly installed arsenic nan favourite to switch Rodgers. However, location is small contiguous traction associated pinch a return for nan Australian to Glasgow contempt his being retired of work. McKenna is known to have admirers astatine Celtic connected nan backmost of his results – and style of play – astatine Ipswich but whether nan 39-year-old would position a move to Scotland arsenic sensible remains to beryllium seen. McKenna, antecedently interviewed by Chelsea, has his squad 3 points disconnected nan Championship playoffs. He is nether statement until 2028.

“It’s short term,” O’Neill told TalkSport connected Tuesday. “Celtic are astir apt stunned astatine nan news Brendan left. They are evidently seeking a imperishable manager, truthful it’s a short-term fit. Interim does mean interim; it’s arsenic elemental arsenic that. Celtic are looking for, I assume, a young coach pinch proven ability. We want to propulsion nan nine guardant now.

“Naturally, I had a ace clip astatine Celtic. It was a privilege. I can’t emphasise enough, it’s short word until a imperishable head is appointed. I’ll conscionable support nan spot warm.”

O’Neill, whose explanation of what Celtic will prosecute fits pinch McKenna, will beryllium assisted by his erstwhile subordinate Shaun Maloney. Celtic big Falkirk connected Wednesday earlier a travel to Hampden Park to look Rangers successful Sunday’s League Cup semi-final. Hours earlier his appointment, O’Neill had talked up nan imaginable of Hearts ending 40 years of Old Firm title power successful Scotland.

“I took a gasp of activity and asked if this was real,” O’Neill said of Desmond’s approach. “It’s difficult to move down personification who gave you nan occupation successful nan first spot erstwhile they had awesome options 25 years ago. By nan clip I pulled myself disconnected nan floor, I thought possibly I should do it.”