Lennon’s axe was wake-up
JOHN KENNEDY insists collective guilt over Neil Lennon’s sacking as Celtic boss is the driving force behind the Bhoys’ bid for Scottish Cup glory.
Caretaker chief Kennedy believes the turmoil at the club over recent months and the dismissal of Lennon was a wake-up call for players and staff at Parkhead to transform their season.
There’s been a dramatic return to form in recent weeks going into this afternoon’s fourth-round clash with Rangers at Ibrox – and Kennedy is adamant Lennon’s exit has shocked the Hoops back into life.
Kennedy said: “Sometimes in the midst of a storm about the manager leaving, things can become a wee bit lost, but there is a reality check, too.
“Someone has had to lose their job because of the group performance and that can sometimes shock people into action.
“We are all very close to Neil, and it hurt everybody. It wasn’t a case of putting the responsibility onto Neil because we all felt responsible for that.
“So we had to all be accountable, but use it as a stimulant going forward.”
Kennedy will make a late decision over the fitness of James Forrest today but will tinker little with the side which hammered six past Livingston last weekend. He added: “We are in a good place, the best shape we can be.”