Stubbs says no-brainer for Hoops to try to keep Kenny GO GO FOR JONJOE
ALAN STUBBS reckons trying to keep Jonjoe Kenny at Parkhead is a no-brainer for Celtic.
The Everton defender has been an excellent addition since arriving on loan in the final hours of the January transfer window. Kenny, a replacement for the departed Jeremie Frimpong, settled instantly by helping the Hoops to a clean sheet on his debut at Kilmarnock. And in his seven matches since that Rugby Park run-out Celtic have lost just three goals, with his impressive defensive work allied to powerful runs into offensive positions. Stubbs isn’t surprised. Having coached him in the academy set-up during their time at Goodison, the former Celtic centre-back had no fears about the 23-year-old doing a job. And, with massive upheaval coming at the club this summer, he’s adamant it would be a bonus if Kenny could stay beyond this term. Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti has indicated he wants all players back on Merseyside this summer to devise his plans for the season ahead and the option may be removed. But if it is possible to extend Kenny’s stay, Stubbs says Celtic should have a crack. He said: “If you are asking me the question about whether Celtic should try to keep him, I’d say it’s a no-brainer – 100 per cent.
“It all depends on what various parties want to do. What Jonjoe wants to do, what Everton want to do. Just as importantly, what Celtic’s next manager wants to do.
“But there are a lot worse options out there than Jonjoe, that’s for sure. And it’s not just about ability with him.
“It’s what he brings to the party in terms of everything else. There was never any doubt about Jonjoe being a good player but I can’t speak highly enough about him.
“Just as important as talent, Jonjoe is just a really good guy.”
On what Kenny has taken into the squad, Stubbs is sure it has been nothing but a positive attitude plus a desire to work and play his part for the team.
The former Hibs manager is full of admiration for the person, not just the player.
And he insists the England Under-21 player is the type of character and personality gaffers and team-mates would want in training.
Stubbs said: “It’s not just his ability, take that away. Speaking about an individual and as a person, he was a pleasure.
“Everything you want to see in a player who you want to do well, he epitomises that. His attitude, his desire, the affection in terms of the effect he has on others is brilliant.
“Sometimes, as a coach or as a player, you go into training and need a lift. He gives that lift, he’s that type.
“He’s infectious, he’s bubbly, he’ll set a tempo and tone in training whilst also having a laugh and a joke because he has good banter.
“One of the things we emphasised at Everton, and I’ve tried to do everywhere, we had the idea of – irrespective of what you do as a footballer, whether you make it at the top or lower down – you walk out of the gates a better person.
“Not all are going to be professional footballers, they are not all going to make it. But the one thing you want them to be is, if you walked past them in the street they’d stop and say hello.
“Thankfully everyone I’ve had, whenever I have seen them, have said hello and had a chat.
“It’s humility. That’s what Everton are all about and it sets an example for them in whatever walk of life they go into after football if they don’t stay in the game. Unfortunately we’ve seen too many go into the wrong walk of life and I don’t think there is enough being done for young kids after academy football.
“They are just discarded – a number. It is a conveyor belt and can be a matter of time before some get off – or get pushed off. They are commodities, pawns in a horrible way.”
Stubbs says the proof of Kenny’s popularity and the impact he has made on his new team-mates may already be evident on a matchday.
He said: “I would imagine he’s having a good influence on a number of players already.
“There’s always a good indication of how players are valued and rated amongst the group when you watch a game and look for how many times the bigger players give it to other players.
“The number of times you see Jonjoe receive the ball and the number of touches he gets, it’s a trust thing. Sometimes in a game you don’t have time to think. But sometimes you do and you give it players who you think can handle and deal with the ball. Jonjoe is no exception
to that.”
CONNOR GOLDSON was front and centre of the celebrations following confirmation of Rangers’ title success on Sunday. Which is no great surprise because that’s where this colossus of a defender has been right through a dream season for the Ibrox club. Rangers have played 45 games and Goldson has started every one, clocking up 150 appearances for the club in a quicker timescale – 965 days – than any player in Ibrox history. And he has been the cornerstone of a defence that has conceded only nine league goals all season. So if anyone was entitled to milk the moment it was the former Brighton defender. But now that calm has been restored, among the players if not the supporters, Goldson can’t wait to get the working togs back on in Prague tonight as Rangers attempt to put the icing on a very rich cake by beating Slavia Prague. The Czech league leaders are blocking Gers’ path to the last eight of the Europa League and, having knocked out Leicester, will be formidable opposition. But having
BACK TO WORK Goldson enjoyed the title celebrations but now he is off to Prague, right, to chase success in Europa League