Ange Postecoglou insists John Kennedy is a key part of his Celtic vision – but he won’t block the coach’s path if he dreams of becoming a boss.
The Hoops assistant manager is understood to be on the shortlist for the top job at Midtjylland with the Danish cracks preparing a shortlist in the next week. Kennedy has been part of the Parkhead backroom team since 2014 and was linked with managerial roles at Hibs and Motherwell.
Postecoglou insisted his right-hand man has the tools to be a top gaffer and he wouldn’t stand in his way. The Celtic boss said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s interest in him. He’s a Celtic man through and through but having had an unfortunate end to his playing career he’s made a concerted effort to get as many skills and learning experiences as possible. He’s worked in the academy and first team in various roles. He’s worked under fantastic managers, present company excluded!
“Should he want to move to the next phase of being a manager – and you would have to ask him that – then he would be an outstanding candidate. “He’s a really important part of our set up here. He leads many of the footballing areas for me and he’s done a fantastic job in my time here.”
Postecoglou added Harry Kewell to his backroom staff this summer but Kennedy has retained an important role. The manager, though, will leave Kennedy to decide his own future.
Postecoglou said: “I don’t think that way, mate. The players and staff, if they do well there may be other opportunities. It’s not down to me, their futures are in their own hands. At the moment John is a key contributor here and he’s really happy with what he’s doing. But what the future holds for him, or for anyone, is up to him.”
Versatile full-back Josip Juranovic has been flagged up as a potential target for Premier League big guns Manchester United and Chelsea, after being linked with Atletico Madrid. Celtic have yet to receive any formal contact for the Croatian cap and Postecoglou has no fears about the former Legia Warsaw ace having his head turned.
He said: “It shows he’s playing well and it also shows what can happen if you play well for this club. This is a fantastic platform for anyone. Josip had a strong year and he wants to get even better.
“He had a strong pre-season and he’s working hard. It’s a big year for him with the World Cup, so there’s a lot of him at club and international level. He wants to be at his best and my job is to keep pushing him to be the best he can. The talk doesn’t affect me, mate. Whether it affects the player then he’s the one you need to ask.
“I just look at how they play, train and behave and I’ve seen no change with anyone in the group. If I do then I address it. It’s not something I ask daily. It’s about how they conduct themselves when they were with us representing this club. Josip and all the other boys are working hard in training and performing at good levels. My job is to keep pushing them.”
Postecoglou admitted he’s still scouring the market in the remaining two weeks of the window. He also revealed Reo Hatate won’t be available to face Kilmarnock and he may not risk returning Carl Starfelt on the Rugby Park plastic pitch.
Postecoglou said: “Reo is okay but we’ll probably keep him out of this week with the artificial surface. We’ll give him another week to train with the squad and make sure he’s ready. Carl is a bit further down the road so I’ll make the decision tomorrow.
“Yosuke Ideguchi is still a fair bit off and in rehab. He got a stitches in his leg that need to be taken out.”
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