Hibees job but can see him as Hoops boss
you are ready, and that would be the case. But I think he is ready.
“If an opportunity comes along and it is the right one, then I think John would make a fine job wherever he went.
“But I am delighted he is staying put because we have worked very hard in the last nine months, and John has been pivotal to that.
“So we certainly didn’t want to break up the backroom team.”
Lennon is all too accustomed to having to try to fend off predatory bids to lure his players away from Celtic Park, and, for him, the interest in Kennedy fell into the same category.
“John is going to be sought after because he is excellent,” the Celtic boss continued.
“He has been in the system, if you want to call it that, for a long time now.
“He has worked under Ronny Deila, and he has worked under Brendan Rodgers for the last four years.
“So he has a wealth of coaching expertise now.
“You can see the way he works with the players that he has a great relationship with them, and he was really important to me coming in.
“I needed that stability, and I am so glad that John has decided to stay.
“I am not surprised Hibs eyed him because he has a very good reputation now.”
Kennedy and Lennon’s attention will this week turn to the visit of Rennes to Celtic Park in the last home game of the Europa League group. Celtic’s qualification is already secured, but Lennon insists there are still targets to be met so fans should not be expecting to see a second-string side in action.
“I think it’s important we don’t take our foot off the gas,” continued Lennon.
“We want to finish top because, in theory, that might help you get a more favourable draw in the next stage.
“Hopefully Lazio take points off Cluj, meaning a win on Thursday guarantees us top spot – something which I am told would be a first for us – with a game to spare.
“I would like to see us take maximum points from the home games.
“That would be a good marker going into the new year.”