Celtic planning move for O’Neill replacement who Sir Alex Ferguson called “incredible”

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill could be set to leave at the end of the season, and an “incredible” manager is now in the frame to replace him.

It has been a topsy-turvy start to the campaign for the Hoops, who remain top of the Scottish Premiership table, despite putting in some poor performances in Europe, losing their opening three matches in the Europa League.

Former Scotland forward James McFadden has suggested the mentality could be one of the main issues, saying: “It seems as though Celtic struggle when there’s a bit of adversity. If something goes against them, the confidence drops, their heads drop, they stop playing forward.

“The ball goes back and across, inviting pressure, and there’s no way they take the pressure off. That has been a theme.”

However, performances in the league have been a lot more encouraging, with Chris Sutton lauding O’Neill’s men following the whopping 7-1 victory against Hearts last weekend.

The Irishman evidently has the experience to turn things around in the Europa League, having taken charge of over 600 league games in Scotland and England.

However, the former Aston Villa manager’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, which means Dermot Desmond & co may need to start thinking about his successor, and a former Premier League manager has now emerged as a target.

Celtic eyeing Kieran McKenna as Martin O’Neill replacement

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

That is according to a report from Football Insider, which reveals Kieran McKenna has admirers behind the scenes at Parkhead, and the former Ipswich Town boss could be brought in to replace O’Neill at the end of the campaign.

The 74-year-old is expected to step down when the season draws to a close, and McKenna is a firm contender for the Celtic job, with the 40-year-old available after leaving Ipswich back in the summer.

The London-born tactician, who prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, left the Tractor Boys after guiding them to promotion from the Championship, which is a feat he also achieved at the end of the 2023-24 season, after amassing 96 points.

Sir Alex Ferguson subsequently backed the former Manchester United assistant manager to reach the very top, saying: “He is an incredible young talent who had a great reputation when he was on the coaching staff at Manchester United.

“Kieran is humble and carries tremendous composure, as well as great technical and tactical insight and awareness – all the hallmarks to become a top manager at the very highest level.”