Pat Bonner has called for Celtic to bring in a new manager now as he believed John Kennedy’s chances of winning the job are over.
Bonner watched on as Celtic dominated against Rangers at Parkhead, only to draw the contest 1-1. Mohamed Elyounoussi’s first-half opener was met with an Alfredo Morelos response. In the end, despite Celtic’s control, the Hoops failed to make the most of their chances.
Disappointingly for Celtic, cross-ball problems cost us at the back once again, whilst Kennedy waited too late to bring on his substitutes. In addition to that, John has now only won one of his three games in charge.
And after today’s disappointing 1-1 draw, Celtic shareholder Bonner believes any talk of him securing the job should be put to bed.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound [21/03, 13:55]. Bonner said: “I just wonder what’s been going on through John Kennedy’s head now regarding the job. Whether that’s now probably ended the chance for him. He may win at Ibrox who knows? But these are the games when you look back and say “those are the games we need to win” and when he doesn’t do it he goes down that pecking order.
“For Celtic it’s another game where they create lots of chances but can’t score and are then punished by a set-piece. If there was any chance for John Kennedy to get the job on a permanent basis I think it might have gone with that game.
“If they are available, Celtic need to bring in their new manager right now. The key issue is who is going to make that decision? Would the Celtic fans be happy if it’s Peter Lawwell?”
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Pat Bonner makes excellent point, but Celtic won’t be bringing in a new manager anytime soon
You can’t actually argue with the base point that Bonner makes. When Kennedy was appointed, many didn’t even want to acknowledge the idea of him getting the job even if he won all of his games.
He’s now only managed to win one of three so far. And with one of those he’s failed to win being the Glasgow derby, his chances look dead and buried. And that applies even if he manages to secure a win in the final derby at Ibrox.
However, there’s no point speculating when Kennedy will leave. Or when the new manager will come in for the time being. The reason? Celtic’s stance on this is perfectly clear. Kennedy will be in interim charge until the campaign ends. We won’t bring someone in for the final five or six games of the season.
Celtic have set their stall out. They won’t budge from that. Even if we were to have lost the derby this afternoon, nothing would’ve come from it. Kennedy would’ve remained in charge.
The idea is to keep us ticking over until the summer. Until, perhaps, the number one choice to be the next permanent boss becomes available.
It’s going to be an exciting summer for Celtic supporters. But between now and then, we need to stay composed and try to bear with the current regime. Kennedy won’t be the permanent Celtic boss, but whoever the new man is, don’t expect him in before the current campaign ends.