CELTIC FAN Kieran McKenna has revealed there have been no hush-hush talks with the Parkhead club about becoming the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers.
The Ipswich Town boss was swiftly named as a frontrunner for the post along with Ange Postecoglou and Robbie Keane, as CQN reported earlier this week.
The English Championship side will not welcome an approach for their manager who is under contract until 2028 and the East Anglian club will look for something in the region of £5million in compensation if the Irishman is lured elsewhere.
Former team chief Postecoglou, who won five trophies in his two years at the Hoops, is reported to be planning a break from the game after being sacked by Nottingham Forest – just four months after suffering an identical fate at Spurs.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Kieran McKenna has been linked with Celtic, but insists there have been no approaches from the champions.
Thirty-nine-year-old McKenna has been monitored by Celtic and his progress at Portman Road after coaching stints at Spurs and Manchester United.
The highly-rated coach, who has been four years at the club, said: “It’s not something I’ve given any thought to.
“I know I’ve got a really special job here at a special club and we’ve got a big week coming up, three big games starting on Saturday at QPR, so, honestly, anything outside of that hasn’t touched my radar this week.
“I’ve not had any of those conversations or anything of the like.”
McKenna, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Of course, we all grow up as football supporters. I think people are lucky enough to work in the game and have different affinity with different clubs.
“But, as I said, I’m really privileged to be in the position I am. I know the size, the significance, the history of this football club, as well.
“And I think when you’re in the honoured position to manage this football club, there’s no time or no space to think or discuss any other football clubs.
WELCOME BACK…Martin O’Neill chats with rival boss John McGlynn after Celtic’s 4-0 win over Falkirk at Parkhead last night.
“You’re going to settle and do your very, very best in the role that you’re in.
“I work here as if I’m going to be here forever and I have done since the first day I was here. When I arrived, it was always going to be a long-term project and we’re still very much in the middle of that.”
Asked about the huge pay-off sum that would be demanded by Ipswich, McKenna added: “I think in every manager’s contract there are contractual things.
“I couldn’t even tell you what mine are, to be honest. If I did know, I wouldn’t tell you.
“But I don’t know what they are.”
Martin O’Neill, of course, agreed to take over as interim boss on Monday shortly after Rodgers’ shock departure.
The one-time Hoops gaffer, who picked up seven honours in five years after arriving in the summer of 2000, was in charge of the team for the 4-0 win over Falkirk at Parkhead last night.
Next up for the charismatic Irishman – and his assistant Shaun Maloney – is the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Danny Rohl’s Ibrox side at Hampden on Sunday.
