The backroom Bhoys have the last laugh now

ANGE POSTECOGLOU isn’t the type to mess about. It’s obvious from listening to him that if someone doesn’t know their stuff, the straighttalking Aussie will set them straight. The way it should be.

That’s not just outside the Lennoxtown bubble. Inside the innersanctum, it’s the same.

Hoops keeper Joe Hart last week explained that you are either with Postecoglou or you are not.

If you are not then you won’t survive.

Taking all of this on board, it leads you straight to John Kennedy. And, perhaps to a lesser degree, Gavin Strachan.

This time last year, Kennedy was left holding the baby.

Neil Lennon had been axed and Celtic were scrabbling around trying to convince Eddie Howe to take the job.

Howe wanted to bring an entourage with him yet, in the end, he took cold feet and walked away from the job.

Enter Postecoglou. Now given the Aussie’s background and the fact he was walking into a strange environment, it was logical to assume he’d want a confidante.

A trusted friend or colleague whom he could lean upon.

At this point, Kennedy was not thought to be long for his post, despite the fact he had answered the club’s call to look after the team as the club hunted Lennon’s successor.

He was the one who had to stand there and face the flak at the end of last season as Rangers ran away with the title by 25 points.

Through that carnage and the constant loss of bad goals, Kennedy had the finger pointed straight at him by a number of fans. What does he do? What is he working on throughout the week?

It’s always the same in football. Dermot Desmond is amongst those who have pointed out that, when a club is successful, the manager and the players are brilliant and the hierarchy don’t get a mention.

When it goes wrong, though, it’s as much their fault as those in charge. Coaches and assistant managers fall into the same bracket.

No matter that Brendan Rodgers thought highly enough of Kennedy to have him on board and use his skills alongside Chris Davies to win seven consecutive trophies, the end of Lennon’s second term as gaffer brought scorn on to

They have been at the boss’ side throughout a glorious term for Celtic

Kennedy from some. Same for Strachan. He’s only there because of his dad, was the mantra amongst cynics.

But if that was the case Postecoglou would have found them out.

Instead, it has been the opposite. They have been by his side throughout a glorious term and Ange’s words as he collected his Manager of the Year Award told a story.

He said: “It was my call not to bring anyone in and just to assess the staff I had. They’ve been outstanding.

“Led by John Kennedy who has been at the club a long time. He understands what success looks like but all of the staff have been great.”