John Kennedy insists Celtic 10 in a row stick was par for the course as he takes pride in defensive record

John Kennedy didn’t take it personally when he took stick for Celtic’s leaky defence during the failed 10 in a Row bid a couple of seasons ago. So he’s not going to get carried away with getting plaudits for the water-tight Hoops backline these days.

The Parkhead coach copped some flak during the covid hit campaign when Neil Lennon lost his job and he was left to mind the fort until Ange Postecoglou arrived in the summer. In fairness, no one at the club escaped the wrath of the punters during a season where everything that could go wrong invariably did, but as a former defender, the assistant coach bizarrely found himself in the firing line at times whenever Celts conceded.

It’s changed days now. Kennedy was never just a defensive coach and still isn’t under Postecoglou. But there’s no doubt the Celtic rear guard is a different animal now – with the best record in Scotland in the last two season.

Kennedy has earned plaudits from the Hoops boss and the punters but he takes it with the same pinch of salt. He’s just happy to be part of a winning coaching team and is looking to maintain the fine form as the campaign heads in to the business end.

Kennedy said: “I’ve been here too long to accept any praise! I know what happens next week if we lose a goal or a game! I think sometimes because of the position you played, people relate that area of the game to you. But the focus is very much on improving individuals but also on all areas of the team.

“My job is to support the manager but a large part of the job I do is on the training pitch, doing analysis, working with the players on a daily basis, along with Gavin Strachan, Harry Kewell and (keeper coach) Stevie Woods. We’ve got a very strong staff here who all have a real