Chris Sutton has urged Celtic to stay well clear of appointing interim manager John Kennedy at the end of the season.
Kennedy was given the role of steering Celtic through for the foreseeable future in the wake of Neil Lennon’s resignation a few weeks ago, and has got off to something of a spluttering start, beating Aberdeen in his first game before drawing with Dundee United in his second.
Whether or not he is going to be given the role long-term is yet to be seen, but speaking on the Record Celtic podcast, former Celtic man Sutton was unequivocal when it came to the idea of the club giving him the reins on a full-time basis.
He said: “No, it just can’t happen. Look, John is a good Celtic man, a good club man. But what message would that send to the supporters? John has been part of the Neil Lennon regime and has been a loyal servant to the club, loyal to Neil.
“But I just think that would be such an underwhelming appointment. Imagine the supporters turning up next season and John Kennedy’s in charge. With the greatest respect to John… he cannot manage Celtic next season.”
Would you be disappointed if Celtic hired Kennedy as their new permanent manager?
Yes
TIF Thoughts on Chris Sutton’s comments on John Kennedy taking over at Celtic…
Given Kennedy’s brief experience as a first-team manager, Sutton is perhaps right here to say it would be an underwhelming appointment, and that it wouldn’t necessarily be the big step in the right direction that the club need to look for if they are to try and make up the large gap to Rangers next season.
After all, rookie Kennedy is stepping in for a five-time league champion in Lennon, who has, by all accounts, failed miserably this term – which would not suggest he has what is required to get the Hoops back on the path to greatness.
Although, that’s not to say it’s impossible for an inexperienced interim manager to go on and have success, you just need to take a look at Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to see that it can happen on occasion. But given where Celtic are, they need instant success and a big name may be considered more likely to make it happen, so he might be someone to consider in the future, just not right now.