Kenny Miller becomes latest to wilfully misinterpret Celtic interim boss John Kennedy

By Euan Davidson

April 16, 2021

Celtic boss John Kennedy caused a stir with some motivational comments this week.

Following the Bhoys’ emphatic 6-0 win over Livingston, Kennedy said [Daily Record]:

“I have full belief in the squad we have here, that on our day we are still the best team in the country. One hundred-per-cent. That’s the reaction you have to have. There was always going to come a point where we had a setback.”

On our day. He says “on our day”. Yet, former Rangers players are rushing to misinterpret what John Kennedy actually said. Even Chris Sutton, beloved ex-Celt, compared the comments to shambolic ex-Gers manager Pedro Caixinha.

Except, Kennedy didn’t say anything controversial or even incorrect. In his opinion, on our day, this Celtic squad can compete with anyone. Given that it’s much the same squad that won the title at a canter last season, it’s hard to argue that’s true.

Kennedy is popular with his players, and these kinds of motivational sentiments will be part of the reason why. Yet, Kenny Miller, who saw the way the tide was turning when he joined Celtic in 2006 [BBC], has wilfully misinterpreted what was said.

Miller said [Daily Record]:

“To be undefeated in the league at any level of football speaks volumes. That’s just outstanding form. So for me there’s no doubt Rangers are by far and away the best team in the country.

“Celtic could claim that for nine years — and they were right to claim that. But Rangers have won the league this year and they’ve won it well. So I don’t think it’s even a debate.”

Kenny Miller scoring against Rangers in 2006 / (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

It clearly doesn’t matter what Celtic interim boss John Kennedy actually said

Context be damned, right?

The win against Livingston might’ve been a dead rubber, or whatever you want to call it. But the fact Kennedy got such an emphatic win over a bogey team with the same set of players speaks volumes. You’d have to imagine the morale in the dressing room was at rock bottom under Neil Lennon, for whatever reason.

Yet, Kennedy seems to have instilled a confidence in this first-team. Performances have improved drastically after a slow start, and the defence is miles away from the shakiness of months prior. We’re scoring goals, and not letting any in. So, why wouldn’t our interim manager say something positive about his players?

Either Rangers-minded pundits genuinely don’t understand what Kennedy said, haven’t actually read it, or are wilfully missing the point, and that’s up to them.

But in large part thanks to John Kennedy, we’re going into a Glasgow Derby with far more confidence than we might’ve had at times this season. The squad will be desperate to prove pundits wrong after a difficult season.

So, all of this only helps the players.

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