KENNEDY: RIGHT PLACE, WRONG TIME

JOHN KENNEDY was in interim charge of Celtic for 10 games – eight in the Premiership and two in the Scottish Cup – when he stepped in following Neil Lennon’s rapid departure on February 23

The former club and country central defender kicked off with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead four days later.

Unfortunately, that was one of only three league victories for the 37-year-old coach. The others came against Livingston, 6-0 last month, and St Johnstone, 4-0 last week.

There were four draws – Dundee United (0-0), Steven Gerrard’s side (1-1), Aberdeen (1-1) and Hibs (0-0) – as well as one loss, the 4-1 collapse at Ibrox earlier this month.

A separate league table covering Kennedy’s reign would show the team trailing after shedding 11 points from eight games.

The Scottish Cup run lasted two outings, a 3-0 win over First Division Falkirk in the east end of Glasgow and a 2-0 exit in Govan.

In four away games, the Hoops failed to register a solitary success and scored a mere three goals while conceding seven.

Kennedy has come across as being articulate and intelligent, but the facts show he is not equipped for the top job at the moment. To be absolutely fair, he took over a team that was on its knees as it dredged its way through the mire of a wretched campaign, the first trophyless term in 11 years.

Now he awaits news to see if he has a role to play in the forthcoming managerial shake-up that should see Eddie Howe installed as Lennon’s long-term successor.

CQN understands there will be a place for Kennedy who looked back on the experience and admitted: “We’ve had a rough season, so it’s almost like you have to close that, draw the line, hit the reset button and get Celtic back to where we belong.”

KENNEDY RECORD:

February 27: CELTIC 1 Aberdeen 0

March 7: Dundee United 0, CELTIC 0

March 21: CELTIC 1 Rangers 1

April 3: CELTIC 3 Falkirk 0

April 10: CELTIC 6 Livingston 0

April 18: Rangers 2 CELTIC 0

April 21: Aberdeen 1 CELTIC 1

May 2: Rangers 4 CELTIC 1

May 12: CELTIC 4 St Johnstone 0

May 15: Hibs 0 CELTIC 0