Sky Sports share latest on Kieran McKenna appointment as Rangers continue manager search
Rangers may turn to Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna after being rejected by Steven Gerrard.
The former Gers manager who won number 55 has turned down the opportunity to return to G51.
Gerrard admitted to Rio Ferdinand that he was ready to return to management, but it looks like he doesn’t consider the Light Blues to be the right fit for him.
McKenna has been suggested at Ibrox for a while after his impressive stint at the Tractor Boys, but it remains to be seen whether the Glaswegian outfit can prize him away from down south.
Rangers may have difficulties appointing Kieran McKenna
It could be a challenge for the Gers to convince McKenna to leave Ipswich, Gordon Duncan says.
The Sky Sports journalist revealed that former Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick and his ex-Manchester United counterpart have been linked with the Ibrox vacancy.
Carrick and McKenna worked in the first-team coaching staff at Old Trafford before starting their managerial careers, and the Glaswegian outfit’s stance on them will be one to keep an eye on.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on 12 October at 13:05, Duncan said: “Other names that are being linked with the job currently, Carrick, former Middlesbrough boss, of course, available. It would be an interesting one to perhaps keep an eye on.”
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Duncan added: “McKenna, the current manager of Ipswich. Won the Championship manager of the month, didn’t he? So maybe tempting him away could prove to be a challenge if indeed Rangers wanted to.”
Gerrard’s snub has been disappointing for the Ibrox faithful, and anyone who is appointed next will definitely need to win fans over.
Ipswich Town record under Kieran McKenna: What he could bring to Ibrox
Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe have taken the reins at Ibrox, and they will be responsible for the success or failure of the new managerial appointment.
McKenna joined Ipswich towards the end of 2021 and subsequently won automatic promotion to the Premier League for the 2024-25 season, although the Tractor Boys were relegated immediately.
| Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Premier League | 38 | 4 | 10 | 24 |
The Suffolk outfit had a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign, but have picked up pace in recent weeks as they find themselves six points off the top of the table.
With McKenna prioritising build-up play with a double pivot in his flexible formations and an aggressive press when out of possession, it seems like the American owners want Rangers to play a certain brand of football, which didn’t work under Martin.
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