Well, who saw that coming? More than likely everyone, as John Kennedy just refuses to learn from the same old Celtic mistakes.
Perhaps the term “refuse” is a touch strong to use. Maybe he simply doesn’t know how to, but even so, Kennedy had a massive chance to put himself in the good books of the support before a ball was even kicked tonight.
The interim manager had the chance to play some of the players we hadn’t seen or didn’t see much of at Ibrox. The likes of Ismaila Soro, who is line to replace Scott Brown this summer. Perhaps Leigh Griffiths or Albian Ajeti given Odsonne Edouard is likely to depart. God forbid given one of the Lennoxtown youngsters a game.
A chance to look towards the future and play players who are likely to be here next season. Surely that would’ve been the best move for the club in the long term?
By continuing to play the same old flops who have made such a mess of things over the last few weeks, Kennedy didn’t help himself. Yes, Leigh Griffiths bailed him out to bag a draw, but this was anything but impressive.
Same old John Kennedy Celtic mistakes resurface again – no change and cross-ball incompetence
However, worryingly, our frailties from the cross-ball were exploited once again tonight. Aberdeen’s opener came from a corner that was too easily won in the air by the Dons. A failure to react to the second ball was also eerily similar to the first goal at Ibrox on Sunday.
Oh and that wasn’t the only occasion a ball into the box caused us trouble tonight. Moments after the opener, Lewis Ferguson nodded down from close-range and forced Scott Bain into a low stop. That very easily could’ve been 2-0.
Aberdeen’s best moments in the game came from either dead-ball or cross-ball situations. Just like Rangers’ did on Sunday. Just like Rangers’ did last March. It’s the same inconsistencies that are continuing to plague us.
Kennedy did manage to make his first substitution nice and early for a change. Griffiths was brought on with half an hour to go along with Tom Rogic. But that’s the only lesson learned so far and it’s taken him seven matches to do so. When you give subs substantial time on the pitch they can make an impact. Who would’ve known?
Starting with the same flops when hungrier players were left sitting on the bench was shockingly poor. The way we defended from cross-balls? Woefully predictable.
This is a football club that, on and off the pitch, has made the same mistakes all season. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that it proved to be the case once again this evening.
We all want to like Kennedy, but just like Neil Lennon before him, he keeps shooting himself in the foot. The sooner we get this season over with, the better.
In other news, Kennedy tried to explain his Scott Brown decision pre-match.
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