Gaffer’s job would be a dream – but not just yet
BY GORDON PARKS
JOHN KENNEDY admits becoming Celtic boss sits at the top of his bucket list.
But the Hoops No.2 believes achieving his dream of managing his boyhood heroes will have to be earned the hard way.
Despite a meteoric rise through the club’s coaching ranks, the 36-year-old insists landing the top job remains an ambition rather than a career mission.
He said: “It’s not part of the plan. I know where I want to go.
“But you only become Celtic manager when you’ve earned that right. Whether that comes in the future or not, time will tell.
“It would be a dream job, yes. Particularly when I think of where I started out.
“Celtic was the team I supported and from the minute I first became involved as a young boy I wanted to reach the top.
“So, of course, it would be the dream job. But it’s not something I’m in a rush to do. It’s not something I’d ever take for granted. You’ve got to earn the right.
“Talk is easy, it’s not a problem anyone saying they want to be this and that. Going out and proving yourself is a different story.
“Anything I’ve ever achieved, I’ve always felt I’ve had to work for it. That won’t change for me.”
Kennedy was mentioned in despatches for the Hibs vacancy before Jack Ross was appointed and he insists becoming a boss in his own right is high on his agenda.
He said: “It was flattering. At one point I do want to be my own man. But I’ve also never been in a huge rush to do that. That’s because I’ve looked at my position at Celtic and always felt challenged.
“I’ve worked with very good managers. If that stalls and things become a bit stale I’d have to review it. But I’ve never come to that point and I’m very happy in my current role.”
BY GORDON PARKS
JOHN KENNEDY’S journey from Celtic player, scout, coach and now to assistant boss, has been a forked road of despair, ambition and destiny.
A career cut short at only 26 years old, the former Hoops star has climbed the ladder in the Lennoxtown backroom staff through various regimes to become Neil Lennon’s most valued sidekick.
It’s provided a ringside seat at a club where a revolution has overthrown all comers as title after title has been racked up in a relentless run of success and silverware.
But the former Scotland defender insists it’s required a root and branch overhaul both on and off the pitch to deliver themselves as the overwhelmingly dominant force in the country.
“There have been some challenging times along the way. I’ve seen both sides of football, that prepares you for everything that comes after.
“To look back on the run, it had been a remarkable achievement for everyone involved. It’s taken so much hard work and fantastic consistency. Not just results and titles, there’s been a real steady progression in terms of off the field, culturally at the club, professionally, everyone