John Kennedy insists Celtic will keep in-demand Ange Postecoglou under lock and key as the Hoops boss still has unfinished business.
The Aussie gaffer has been heavily linked with the Leeds United job following the sacking of Jesse Marsch earlier this week. Record Sport understands the English Premier League club are keen on Postecoglou but have not made an approach as the focus has fallen on other targets. Parkhead No.2 Kennedy – who conducted media duties yesterday as the Aussie took training – admitted Celts are desperate for the gaffer to continue his building mission. And he’s convinced Postecoglou's head has not been turned.
He said: “I know first hand how much he enjoys it here. He loves the club, the challenge and he’s in the middle of building something quite special. He’s happy where he is and we’ll keep a watchful eye on him to make sure he’s in our sights at all times. We’ve tied him to his chair upstairs and got a couple of security guards on his door! In terms of his approach it has been a normal week and he’s very much focused. He’s been his normal self this week. He’s been good. It’s the same as with the players who arrive at the club.
“If they do well over a period of time they start to get linked with clubs and there’s speculation around them. Credit to the manager for the job he’s done in bringing success over the last 18 months.
"He’s built a really strong squad who have produced very good performances. With that comes attention.
"People are taking notice and he’s getting credit. That comes with the territory, a lot of people watch Celtic from afar so there is going to be speculation, it’s all par for the course.
“It means the club is in a good position and things are going well. It’s all positive. There are no problems, he’s in the building and he took training.
“To be fair, it was planned over a week ago that I would do press duties to save him from answering the same questions. He just wanted a wee break from it, so it was my duty to stand in, this was planned before any speculation.”
Postecoglou won a double last season and is in the hunt for all three domestic trophies this term, with a commanding nine-point lead in the Premiership, St Mirren up in the Scottish Cup this evening and the Viaplay Cup Final against Rangers in a fortnight. The Aussie is worshipped by Parkhead punters.
They chant his name from the stands and hang on his every word. But part of the reason Kennedy feels the man in charge won’t be heading for the hills just yet is the fact the feeling is mutual.
Postecoglou appreciates his public every bit as much as they do him – and Kennedy knows why he’s already on his way to legendary status at Celtic Park. Now he’s part of the Postecoglou regime, the Hoops coach can see the mutual appreciation society.
Kennedy said: “Definitely. It’s part of his duties as a manager to build that rapport between the supporters and connection the team.
“That’s a real strength of his, you see his real humility with the way he speaks. He’s shown his human side, he’s the manager of a huge institution but at the end of the day he’s a human being and he respects the sacrifices the fans make to come and support their team, whether it’s the cost, the time, the travelling or whatever.
“He has a lot of respect for that and always wants to give something back the other way. Over time he’s built a real rapport with the fans and they appreciate each other.”
Kennedy believes this is still the beginning of the Aussie’s Celtic journey. He said: “It does feel like this is just the start.
"He had a lot to do when he came in the first season and we finished the year strongly. I think it probably caught a lot of people by surprise how quickly he got things going again.
“There was a solid foundation for this year with the players he brought in and they way he’s got them playing. He’s added to it again and it’s all part of the process.
“We all know there’s a long way to go and a lot more to come from this squad. Every conversation we have is about what we are doing going forward.
“He’s very focussed on what he has to do at Celtic.”
The only domestic disappointment last term was going down in the Scottish Cup semi-finals to Rangers. Kennedy knows it’s winner takes all in knockout competition and the Saints slip-up in the league earlier this season will also serve as a warning.
He said: “That is especially the case in the cup, when it’s a one-off. If the performances continue like they have done we will be in a good position.
“Stephen Robinson has built a good team at St Mirren. They are strong, they work hard and are very disciplined.
“They’ve got good players in there. We saw earlier in the season, if you don’t perform on the day, they are a side who are capable of causing some problems.”
