Ange Postecoglou provides insight on John Kennedy's important Celtic role at Lennoxtown

By John McGinley

March 17, 2023

Manager Ange Postecoglou has been discussing Celtic work at Lennoxtown, the role analysis plays in coaching and the ‘drive’ John Kennedy brings to training.

Postecoglou’s Bhoys have been on an imperious march to success this season, already lifting one trophy and forging a nine-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Naturally, people are intrigued about the processes behind this relentless form, which is exactly the route fan media group The Cynic took at today’s press conference.

They asked Postecoglou about setting up against different styles of opposition approach in Scotland, then followed up with a question asking if video analysis tends to play a more prominent role than practical coaching when considering an opponent’s approach – and if that is something John Kennedy takes ownership of.

The Celtic boss responded [Celtic YouTube]: “No, it’s probably the other way around because we don’t have a lot of sorts of video evidence, from our games anyway. I know John and the other coaches do reference other teams that would play in a similar style, and try to marry that up to what we’re doing, but most of our preparation is practical.

“The beauty of our team at the moment is we’ve 25 or 26 good-quality players and our training is really competitive. So, if we set up a team to play out from the back, they’re pretty good at it because they can all play and the team that has to stop them has to be pretty good at stopping them and vice versa. I keep saying the level of our training is what drives performance.

“John Kennedy drives most of that in terms of the planning of the sessions and the way it goes. A lot of our development comes from the practical rather than the analysis and video stuff. The stuff we review from our domestic games, particularly, sometimes there isn’t a lot in there to take away for some of the principles we want to try and improve. “

Postecoglou is never shy in identifying and shining a light on the work his backroom staff does. Whether it’s Gavin Strachan talking to individuals or Kennedy’s organisation of training, the manager likes to give credit where it is due.

As always the Australian is also communicating he is keen on Celtic enacting a gameplan of their own, regardless of how the opposition looks to counter it. By working so practically with the players day to day, he is ensuring they have the versatility to cope with whatever is thrown at them.

The upcoming international break is another opportunity to get some more quality training ground work into the players, without the distraction of recovering from matches.

In other news, SPFL defends itself after claim £20m TV cash has been left on table; Celtic games undervalued.