Lennon insists his No.2 Kennedy is going nowhere

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon says that John Kennedy won’t be going anywhere after his assistant was linked with the vacant managerial position at Hibernian.

Reports yesterday suggested that the Easter Road club were interested in handing Kennedy his first crack as a first-team manager, but while Lennon wouldn’t be shocked if clubs were interested in luring him away from Celtic Park, he says that he is desperate to hang on to his right-hand man.

“I don’t want him to go but it doesn’t surprise me because he’s a superb coach,” Lennon said. “It’s a feather in John’s cap if that’s the case but as far as I’m concerned, he won’t be going anywhere, because he’s an integral part of what we do.”

One man who might also be in line for an extended stay with Celtic is Jonny Hayes, with Lennon hinting he may hand the Irishman a new contract following his starring role in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Motherwell.

Hayes, preferred to Greg Taylor at left-back, whipped in a cross that Motherwell defender Richard Tait could only divert into his own net to give Celtic their killer second goal after Odsonne Edouard had opened the scoring. And when asked if Hayes was giving him a decision to make over extending his current deal, which expires in the summer, Lennon said: “He is, yeah. He is popular with the other players and he has shown a real reliability, quality and confidence. The pace he brings, he put in several good crosses [against Motherwell]. I’m so happy with him and happy for him.”

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson was pleased with his side’s showing despite the defeat.

“I take things from the performance, but not the result,” Robinson said. “We are never happy getting beat. I have to give a lot of credit to the players, they worked their socks off.”

STEVEN GERRARD wouldn’t have needed to remind his players what to expect ahead of this Premiership clash. Rangers had to dig deep to win here earlier in the campaign, while Celtic were beaten just a few weeks ago.

It was to prove a straightforward afternoon for Ibrox side, though. Joe Aribo opened the scoring with a lovely finish just after the half-hour mark and Alfredo Morelos clinched the win with his 22nd goal of the campaign just after the break. been the way the pair have reacted when introduced from the bench or, as was the case here, given a starting jersey. Aribo was dangerous every time he was on the ball, while Arfield’s movement and energy summed up Rangers’ efforts.

“Of course they were disappointed but they have trained ever so well the last few days and come and done what you should do when left out of a team, which is contribute and show the manager he was probably wrong,” Gerrard said. “They were both heavily involved in the first goal. Good pass by Scott, great finish by Joe.”

“We dug in when we had to, we competed when we had to. At times we played some stunning football. That is all I am interested in right now.

“I am not interested in what people want to write and headlines about me and Gary Holt.”

GIVEN how impressive Holt’s side were in their win over Celtic here a couple of weeks ago, this performance would have frustrated the Lions boss.

Livingston were second best from start to finish and never looked like troubling Rangers.

It wasn’t for a lack of trying, but a lack of quality ultimately denied them a chance to record a famous Old Firm double as chances proved hard to come by. Holt had no complaints.

“I can’t fault the effort and the energy levels and the commitment but we didn’t hunt in packs,” Holt said.

“We went in ones and twos and were passive in certain areas and that is disappointing. If you give a good side time to play then they will hurt you.”

Couple of crosses didn’t find the target but played his part going forward overall. Comfortable in his own half on a straightforward afternoon.

Was excellent against Porto in midweek and a commanding presence on a very different occasion here. Handled the physical threat of Dykes well.

Didn’t look comfortable on his previous outing here but was far more assured this time around. Impressed once again and will be hard to shift now.

Has become a dependable performer in recent times and this continued the theme. Got an assist for Morelos and unlucky not to score late on.

The deepest of the midfield three and helped Rangers control the game. Continued his fine form with a composed performance.

Denied his second goal of the season by a terrific save. Excellent all-round showing in the middle of the park.

Got the decisive opener as he finished off a neat move with a lovely finish. Always looked dangerous on the ball.

Played a key role in the build-up to the first goal and made a number of smart runs. Work ethic was crucial.

Still waiting for his first goal of his second spell but put in a shift up and down the left flank. Picked up a knock shortly after the break and was replaced a few minutes later.

Superb finish to make it 2-0 was the highlight of another excellent showing. Led the line with aplomb as his movement and strength caused problems all afternoon.

CELTIC strolled to victory against Motherwell as a first-half strike by Odsonne Edouard and an own goal from Richard Tait after the break kept the champions top of the Labrokes Premiership table.

Here are five talking points from Celtic Park . . .

TIME was, opposition teams facing Celtic or Rangers after either side of a big European tie would look to exploit tired legs and minds, but there were no real signs of fatigue from Celtic after the huge effort expended in Rome on Thursday night.

Yes, they did have the slip-up at Livingston after the win over CFR Cluj, but with Rangers breathing down their necks, the Celtic players knew they couldn’t afford another off-day here.

Neil Lennon does of course benefit from a strong squad, but again he resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes against a decent Motherwell outfit.

Thursday’s last-gasp goal hero Olivier Ntcham was brought in from the start and was excellent as he picked passes in behind the frontline, while livewire right-back Jeremie Frimpong brought fresh energy and enthusiasm to the side.

Ultimately it was too much for Motherwell, and Celtic boss Lennon will have been pleased to have been able to give James Forrest a decent rest too with the game essentially settled with the second goal early in the second half.

THE Celtic captain just keeps racking up the milestones, and he strolled through his 550th appearance for the club as if it was his first.

Motherwell tried to pack the midfield, but Brown more than held his own against the legs of the young Motherwell duo Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire, using his experience to find the space and dictate the play.

It will be a lesson to both players, who showed in flashes what they too are capable of.

The only real headache the Celtic skipper had on the day though was the one given to him by his goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, who clocked him with a punch to the back of the head as he came to clear a Motherwell corner, but it was the visiting midfield that picked up second prize on the day.

The former Scotland captain, who retired from international duty at the end of Gordon Strachan’s tenure in charge, will now enjoy a well-earned rest during the international break.

MOTHERWELL’S game-plan at Celtic Park was clear, as manager Stephen Robinson went with five across the back as he tried to frustrate the hosts and stay in the game for as long as possible, with a view to bringing on the pace of Sherwin Seedorf and Jermain Hylton later in the game.

It worked to a point, but when you are up against strikers of the calibre of Edouard, it only takes a single lapse for the best laid plans to be torn asunder.

So it proved, as Declan Gallagher’s tackle on James Forrest fell perfectly for the striker to break Motherwell’s resistance.

The last thing you can afford to do is give Celtic a helping hand, and the Steelmen were culpable of doing so again when the killer second goal arrived as Tait could only help the excellent Jonny Hayes’s wicked cross into his own net.

The gap between the Old Firm and the rest is such though, that coming away with a 2-0 defeat is seen as something of a decent result for visitors to Glasgow this season.

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon spoke on Friday of his concern over the workload being placed on his 21-year-old frontman, with Leigh Griffiths still not fit enough to take his place on the bench for the visit of Motherwell and Vakoun Issouf Bayo still some way short of being able to contribute again. The Frenchman just keeps churning out the performances though.

He got the opener here, his thirteenth goal of the season in all competitions, underlining his importance to the Celtic cause yet again. While much is often made about the technical ability of Edouard, and rightly so, he showed here that he also has a predatory instinct when required.

Mohamed Elyounoussi’s ball into the box found Forrest, with Gallagher managing to get a foot in to tackle his Scotland teammate. The ball broke loose and Edouard was the first to anticipate it, pouncing to finish superbly past Mark Gillespie.

He wasn’t at his sparkling best, and he may well have made more of a few opportunities on the counter,

but the fact that Celtic were unable to even give him a breather at two goals to the good showed just how little depth there currently is up front. Lennon, along with the entire Celtic support, will be hoping that the frontman steers clear of injury.

THE big defender was slightly unlucky as his tackle on Forrest inadvertently allowed Edouard to put Celtic ahead, but he showed here why he has caught the eye of

Scotland manager Steve Clarke with an accomplished showing.

His tackle on Elyounoussi in particular in the first half was sensational, with the red-hot winger trying to cut inside in the area with Gallagher last man. If he had got it wrong, it would either have been a penalty or a certain goal, but he timed it perfectly to stride away with the ball.

It was the highlight of a very decent personal showing from the former Livingston centre-half, who defended well in the air and used the ball well too on the deck.

He is coming on leaps and bounds.

The young Dutchman was given the nod at right-back in the absence of Hatem Elhamed. Wowed the crowd with his skills going forward and was comfortable at the back.

Outstanding both in the air and on the deck. The French centre-half has faced far more formidable front lines than this.

The Norwegian centre-half dealt with the threat posed by Motherwell striker Devante Cole well. He blocked a shot by his rival in the second half and cut out any deliveries into his box.

Retained his place and more than justified his inclusion. Tested Mark Gillespie just before half-time and forced Richard Tait to turn the ball into his net in the second half.

The Celtic captain was making his 550th appearance for the Parkhead club. Looked as fresh as he did on his debut.

Bossed central midfield. Played an outstanding through ball to Odsonne Edouard which his team-mate should have done far better with.

Picked up where he had left off in the Stadio Olimpico. Was everywhere in the first half and gave Motherwell left-back Jake Carrol a torrid time. Tired and was replaced by Ryan Christie.

The hero of Rome was promoted to the starting line-up. Threaded some defence-splitting through balls to his team-mates.

Helped to set up the first goal after cutting inside and supplying Forrest.