Kennedy says timing is right for Mckay as he beds in with Hoops

Interim Celtic boss John Kennedy has welcomed the early arrival of chief executive Dominic Mckay as a new era beckons at Parkhead.

The 42-year-old was originally coming in from Scottish Rugby in the summer to take over the post from Peter Lawwell, who is stepping down.

However, Mckay checked in at Celtic Park on Monday, following the Hoops’ 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat by Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday which meant the Parkhead outfit will finish the season trophyless for the first time since 2010.

With the search for a new manager to replace Neil Lennon still ongoing and lots of planning to do for next season, Kennedy believes Mckay has got his timing right.

Ahead of the trip to Aberdeen for tonight’s Premiership clash, the former Celtic defender said: “Especially coming into a club like Celtic, the demand that comes on very early.

“Peter is going to be stepping to the side just before pre-season and there is a lot that goes on very early at the club.

“I have been here long enough to understand the demands straight away in terms of getting the squad together, getting the team prepared and then you are going into European competition very quickly before your domestic season starts, so I think it is good timing.

“He gets a feel for the place, an understanding of how it operates and what he might have to do and that will make the transition easier, having Peter there to help him with that, rather than coming in cold.

“It gives him time to bed in and we will see what happens from there.

“But It is not rip everything up and it is a shambles and you start again. You have to identify the problems, fix them and build on what we have built over a number of years and not forget about that.”