Kennedy eyes progress through performances

INTERIM boss John Kennedy stressed the importance of performance in Celtic’s five postsplit Premiership fixtures.

After winning nine in a row for the second time in the club’s history, the Hoops lost their title to Old Firm rivals Rangers this season with manager Neil Lennon resigning in February.

Celtic are 20 points behind the newly-crowned Ibrox side whom they play in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup next week, following today’s home match against Livingston.

Kennedy has been in temporary charge for four fixtures, a win against Aberdeen, draws against Dundee United and Rangers and a Scottish Cup victory over League One side Falkirk and he is looking to finish the season on a high.

The former Celtic defender said: “We want focus on the performance first. We did really well against Rangers and in the main there as was lot of good stuff against Falkirk.

“Periods against Dundee United, really good again, so we want to keep progressing that – that is important, that’s what brings results.

“We don’t want to focus on how many points, you want to focus on performance because that’s what will bring the points. That’s what we have to get back to, a high level of performances, a good style of football, an attacking style, scoring goals, winning games and when things are not going perfectly to plan, showing the mentality and attitude which a Celtic player needs, going and grinding it out.

“We want to bring that back, regardless of whether the league is done or not.”