WE BEST SETTLE THIS
Kennedy: I respect Gers but on our day we can show we’re top team in the country
JOHN KENNEDY insists if Celtic hit top gear at Ibrox they CAN show they are the best team in the country.
The Hoops interim boss has taken flak for claiming his side are the top side in Scotland on their day but
backed his men to
prove it against Rangers tomorrow. Kennedy, on the eve of the Old Firm Scottish Cup last-16 showdown, said: “People interpret it the way it suits them, that’s the problem with these things.
“I was talking about going into a cup game against Rangers and my comments were that on our day I think we can still be the best team in the country – and that’s purely down to performance and the level we can reach.
“I have always said in recent weeks that Rangers have thoroughly deserved to win the league because again consistency with them and good performances over a longer period of time than we did and they picked up the most points.
“I give Rangers credit for that, we are not hiding behind that at all.
“We have accepted the responsibility that we have had a difficult season but, in my opinion, on our day in a cup match can we go and beat Rangers? Yes, I think we can. If everyone reaches their levels we can be the best team.
“We have been successful for a long period of time and we’ve taken the credit for that.
“We accept we have dipped below our standards but because you dip below your standards does not mean all of a sudden that’s your level.
Our level we still see as high as what we reached in previous seasons.
“People say, yes, but it’s about results and yes it is.
“But if you can respond to setbacks and then hopefully this season win the Cup and then next season get back to our levels, then you show that over a period of time.
Rangers have been the better team in the league this season, plain and simple.
“Beyond that, then we will see what develops. On Sunday we have to deliver a result and that is the start of that argument.”
Kennedy is still sweating on the fitness of James Forrest but says the winger has trained and could feature. He added: “We got him on the pitch Thursday and got a bit of work into him.
“He came off it a bit Friday to give him a bit of recovery.
“We’ll have another go at him on Saturday to get more work in him and leave it as late as we have to.”
Striker Patryk Klimala’s move to New York Red Bulls, as revealed in Record Sport this week, is expected to be rubber-stamped next week.
Kennedy said: “It makes sense for us, it’s a good opportunity for him and it’s good for the club.
“We certainly wish Patryk all the best with that one if it gets finalised.”