With rumours around John Kennedy’s future now being quashed, the Celtic assistant manager has opened up about working alongside Ange Postecoglou and the other backroom staff at Celtic.
Kennedy has worked under a number of different managers during his time at the club with the former Hoops defender having been brought on to the backroom staff under Ronny Deila.
He has also worked alongside Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon before taking over as caretaker manager when Celtic’s ten in a row hopes imploded in 2021.
With the arrival of Ange Postecoglou many Celtic fans questioned whether there would be a future for Kennedy at Celtic and whether he should have retained his place on the backroom staff but once again he has proved his doubters wrong.
Postecoglou was full of praise amid speculation surrounding Kennedy’s for the part which the 39-year old played during his first season at the club and beyond as Celtic prepare for the Champions League.
It was time for Kennedy to return the favour as he spoke about the benefits of working under the Australian boss.
“It has been good. Especially when you play a style which is very attack-minded and always on the front foot,” said John Kennedy speaking to Celtic TV.
“It’s very exciting – and then you are winning games off the back of it.
“So it’s been a really good start for him [Postecoglou]. He has come in and had a big impact on the club, taking us from where we were and got us back on the right track, bringing some success along with that.
“So, everything moving in the right direction, everybody has been terrific to work with, as is all the staff, and hopefully, he continues to do so.”
There is a real buzz around the place at the moment with the Champions League draw so close. The competition will also be a chance for Kennedy to test himself as an assistant on the grandest stage.
“There will obviously be the big ties against the big clubs that the fans maybe want but, for us, whoever gets put in front of us we will attack in the same manner and we’ll test ourselves against the best. That’s what we’re here to do.
“It will be a real good gauge of where we are at. We know ourselves in house that we’re in a good place. We’ve had a solid start to the season, but we still know there is room there for improvement.
“So, the players, the staff, everyone knows there is room to grow there, and certainly when you come up against the best teams they will test that.
“They will give you a real clarity of exactly where you are at, so that will be the biggest thing coming out of it for us.”
This will be the first time that Celtic have competed in the group stages of the tournament for five years. Supporters don’t want Celtic to be there just to make up the numbers and would like to see the Hoops make Celtic Park a fortress once again.
