The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Interim boss Kennedy: Success should never be taken for granted
Interim boss John Kennedy stressed that success at Celtic should never be taken for granted after the bid to retain the Scottish Cup began with a win against Falkirk.
The Hoops won the delayed 2020 final against Hearts on penalties in December to make it four in a row, which also clinched a domestic quadruple treble.
However, this season has been one of turmoil in the east end of Glasgow.
St Johnstone won the Betfred Cup in January and Rangers prevented their Old Firm rivals making it a 10th successive Premiership title win.
The Parkhead club have had talks with former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe about the vacant managerial post but while the wait goes on to see who replaces Neil Lennon, Kennedy continues to steer the ship.
He guided the Hoops to the fourth round with a 3-0 home win over League One side Falkirk on Saturday night with James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Mohamed Elyounoussi scoring in the second half, then acknowledged the importance of winning the competition again.
The former Celtic defender, who stepped up from assistant in February when Lennon resigned, told Celtic TV: “It would be massive. Every trophy is important.
“We have been so successful in recent seasons but what you can never do is take it for granted, never, ever.
“I actually used that before the game in terms of the players, that they have been so used to success, so much of it and it is great and it hurts when it is taken away from you, but never take it for granted because you should savour every moment.
“I have been through times when you went a couple of season without winning things and as a young fan when we went loads of years without trophies.
“The times we have had of late has been terrific and we don’t want it to go away.”
Callum Hendry climbed off the bench to fire just the second Aberdeen goal in 11 games as the mis-firing Premiership outfit dodged a major upset against League One parttimers Dumbarton.
St Mirren made up for their disappointment at not making the Premiership top six by returning to Hamilton and booking their place in the fourth round with a 3-0 victory.
Two goals from Jamie McGrath either side of a stunning Kristian Dennis strike helped atone for failing to claim the victory they had needed a fortnight earlier.
Kyle Lafferty hit a hat-trick and George Oakley struck his first for Kilmarnock in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Stenhousemuir.