Martin O’Neill permanent Celtic chances rated by Alan Brazil as potential alternative named

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Celtic’s hiring of Martin O’Neill has been a feel-good story so far.

The club legend was minding his own business in London when a phone call from Dermot Desmond offered him the unexpected chance to replace Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis.

Rodgers’ stunning resignation hadn’t even been announced at that point, so one can only imagine how much of a surprise it was for O’Neill to hear.

Desmond’s subsequent brutal attack on Rodgers in a statement revealed just how bad his relationship with the Hoops boss had become.

But can O’Neill really be his permanent replacement? Alan Brazil has his doubts.

Alan Brazil on Martin O’Neill at Celtic

The Hoops’ comfortable 4-0 win over Falkirk was the perfect start for O’Neill, with fans noting positive changes in the team’s style of play.

O’Neill admitted that he had been extremely nervous after the game, managing the Hoops for the first time in over 20 years.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton predicts ‘triumph or disaster’ semi-final for Martin O’Neill’s Celtic vs Rangers

But despite the positive vibes going around after the win, Brazil sees his chances of getting the job permanently in serious doubt – and one candidate stands out to step in.

Brazil said on TalkSPORT: “The big question is because Martin can’t do it for another… I’ll be very surprised if Martin is there until the end of the season.

“Who’s going to get the job? It depends what Martin’s said to them. If he’s said ‘you’ve given me 10 minutes to make my mind up I’ll help you but don’t even think about it.’

“It’s interesting. I was racking my brain over who’s going to get the job, would the Ipswich boy? He’ll fit into Celtic brilliant. I’m sure he would, Kieran [McKenna].

“But he probably earns more money at Ipswich. I wouldn’t say double, but he definitely earns more than what Celtic will be offering, so they’ll have to match that.

“That’s if he wanted to. He’ll be gutted, Kieran, with what he done with Ipswich. Getting to the Premier League was fantastic. He’ll want to see if he can get back there.”

Would Kieran McKenna leave Ipswich to join Celtic?

The one thing that we seem to know for sure is that Celtic are seriously interested in McKenna. We don’t know if an approach will be made, or if he would accept an offer.

Since getting the Tractor Boys straight from League One to the Premier League, McKenna has been subject to reported interest from Brighton, Manchester United and Chelsea. He is a man in demand.

Any appointment would be a major coup for the Hoops – but the hurdles aren’t finished there. Ipswich have the Northern Irishman under contract until 2028, and he is reportedly earning a healthy salary.

His club would fight to keep him. And until Celtic test their resolve, we won’t know just how serious an option McKenna is.