At this point in time, it is hard to predict what direction Celtic's search for a new manager will take. There do not seem to be any leading candidates for the job, and nothing seems to be imminent. The likes of Ange Postecoglou, Mark van Bommel and Craig Bellamy already seem to be out of the running for one reason or another.
With options dwindling, Celtic have very little scope for error. One suggestion is that they continue with Martin O'Neill until the end of the season, if the club legend can continue to deliver results, like he has since arriving.
On the other hand, there is also an argument that O'Neill is not the long-term solution at 73 years of age. If Celtic are convinced about their next appointment, they should not wait until the summer and risk other clubs, with more financial power, swooping in.
One manager they have been linked with is Kieran McKenna. He is believed to have a £5 million release clause in his current deal with Ipswich Town. As reported by Football Insider, Stefan Borson said:
"If someone else is going to cost £2.5m, then you’re really looking at the difference rather than the absolute number. But if somebody is available for free, who they think is only a slightly inferior manager, then of course that might be definitive.
“Then it depends on McKenna and how much he wants to go, and whether some deal can be done with Ipswich.
“From what you hear about McKenna, it sounds like it would be a very good appointment, so I think probably £5m on balance will not be the key determinant as to whether he goes there or not. There are other factors that are probably more important in that mix."
Celtic told to appoint manager with £5m release clause
Will Celtic go out and sign a manager who has a £5 million release clause? If history is anything to go by, then that seems pretty unlikely. But you never know, the board is under pressure already, which has further increased after Brendan Rodgers' resignation.
Is McKenna the right manager for Celtic? That is up for debate to be honest. He has done a tremendous job at Ipswich Town, there is no doubt about that. But they struggled in the Premier League.
So, will McKenna's managerial qualities translate to a club like Celtic? Getting the job done at Ipswich Town is very different to the pressure of managing at Parkhead.