JOHN KENNEDY insists the Ibrox boast of being Invcincibles does NOT compare with the Celtic achievement of 2016/17.
Steven Gerrard and Co have been making a lot of noise about being unbeaten in the Premiership as they prepare for the match at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
Stand-in Hoops gaffer Kennedy, who will take charge of the team for the third time since taking over from Neil Lennon last month, is adamant the Govan club can emulate the feat of Brendan Rodgers’ side and points out that they went through the entire campaign without a blemish while winning the treble.
The Ibrox interest in the Betfred League Cup was extinguished when St Mirren beat them 3-2 in the quarter-final in Paisley in December. Any hopes of a silverware clean sweep were obliterated when Conor McCarthy fired in a late winner.
SAINTS AND WINNERS…Conor McCarthy crashes in St Mirren’s third goal with James Tavernier and Allan McGregor kissing their hopes of success in the Betfred League Cup goodbye.
Four years ago, the Parkhead side romped the league, winning by THIRTY points, while beating Aberdeen in both Finals of the domestic Cups. 3-0 in the League Cup and 2-1 in the Scottish Cup when Tom Rogic took the headlines with his magical strike as the clock ticked down at Hampden.
Reflecting on the Hoops’ feat in a memorable debut campaign for Rodgers, caretaker gaffer Kennedy said: “It’s important because it’s part of our history and we’re very proud of that.
“We also went a full season, winning each trophy. So, that in isolation is a bigger achievement.
“We’ll not use it as extra motivation. We have set the marker and we have cleaned up domestically in previous seasons. Rangers have had their moment. But we want it to be a moment.
“What is the difference? Winning more trophies probably. Especially in knock-out competitions, it only takes one game to be off the boil and you’re out. That period of being so successful is a huge achievement.
CUP WINNER…Tom Rogic races away after scoring the late goal that subk Aberdeen – and completed the treble in season 2016/17.
“As much as we all acknowledge it, in later years when it can’t be repeated, we will probably look back on it and say: ‘Wow, that must have been an unbelievable team’.
“We’ve had a big setback this season with the league campaign, but you don’t just become a poor team overnight. So, we need to get back to our levels and we want to show that on Sunday.
“The thing now is how we perform, the result we get and the impact on things going forward.
“It will not be an extra incentive for the players to stop Rangers. It’s more about us now, what we deliver, how we perform and results we get.”
Kennedy, speaking to the Daily Record, is determined to lead the team to three points tomorrow in the midday kick-off and added: “We owe it to ourselves as much as the fans. We all accept that responsibility. It’s been a really difficult season for the fans.
“One, because they’ve put their money into the club when they’ve not been able to attend the games. And because of the way the season has gone, it becomes very frustrating for everyone.
“The fact that you can’t get in and support the team, as well, that’s very difficult.
“As much as we owe it to everyone, it’s always about what we do on the field to give the fans that joy and that pride in their team.”
