Hearts are considering a move for John Kennedy as their next boss with the highly-rated Celtic assistant on their managerial target short list.
Steven Naismith is interim charge of the Jambos after stepping into Robbie Neilson’s shoes after he was axed and the former Scotland striker is likely to keep hold of the job if he can lead them to third spot in the Scottish Premiership with two games left in the league.
But the odds are stacked against them with Aberdeen favourites to finish best of the rest and the Hearts hierarchy are assessing their options. And Kennedy has come into the thinking of sporting director Joe Savage and club chief Ann Budge. The 39-year-old has been a key member of the Celtic coaching staff under Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and now Ange Postecoglou. Kennedy’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed and Hearts’ fierce rivals Hibs made an approach to take him as their manager.
But the former Hoops and Scotland defender knocked them back. His resolve could be tested once again if the Jambos make him an offer to be a manager in his own right.
Naismith revealed on Monday he will hold talks over his future with club chiefs next week. He said: “Have I had any discussion with the board? None at all. And realistically this week there’s no time.
“We may as well wait until after the season. After Saturday that’s it done and the players get some rest or go away for internationals and that’s the right time to have the conversation.
“Beating Rangers wouldn’t do my chances any harm but I feel I’ve been trying to make a statement with every game we’ve played. It hasn’t been perfect with results but there’s definitely been a clear shift in how we play. What I want is to try to make the club much more attacking and be a threat to other teams. That’s the big thing I focus on.”
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