Celtic interim boss John Kennedy has been taken to task for some words he chose at the weekend.
Following Celtic’s grim goalless draw at Easter Road [BBC], Kennedy said that the club needed to bring “bodies” in to the club. It seemed like a pretty reasonable assessment, given how thin the squad has been over 20-21.
However, John Hartson, speaking to Go Radio, was apparently dumbstruck by the interim boss’ assertion. Hartson insisted that it’s about quality, not quantity. The former Welsh international was also reminded of the previous summer window, and the transfers that haven’t exactly worked out.
Hartson said [Go Radio]:
“John Kennedy said there ‘we need bodies’. We don’t need bodies, we need quality, we need good players. [Celtic] brought in bodies this year. We need players of the ilk that can play at Celtic, that have got great desire, confidence in their own ability.
“[Players who are] ready to embrace the crowd. These are the type that excel at Celtic and Rangers because the pressure is on every single week.
“When he just said bodies, I know what John means but he should have been saying “we need quality players”.”
Our take: It feels like the Celtic interim boss has been wilfully misinterpreted
There are things you can rightfully criticise John Kennedy for; his tactics and team selections generally. But this feels a little sensationalist.
It’s not as if John Kennedy is insisting on bringing in players for the sake of it. Clearly, as an ex-scout and a coach, he understands what kinds of players need to come in. So, no harm to John Hartson, but this feels like much is being made of very little.
Strictly speaking, he’s right. Celtic need to bring in players who will lift the standard of the first-team. It’d be surprising if John Kennedy was like “nah, just sign whoever”. Strength in depth is key; having two quality players in every position is surely the long-term goal.
What’s clear about Celtic’s “rebuild” is that very little is clear. We know so little about the profile of players Celtic are after, let alone who’s in charge of recruitment, or if anything is being done behind the scenes.
READ MORE: Celtic Academy loan stars round-up: the fans’ perspective
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