Celtic in Crisis – Kennedy departure damning for Desmond

After nearly three decades with Celtic, the veteran coach has left the club, joining first-team coach Adam Sadler, fitness coach Glen Driscoll and first-team analyst Jack Lyons, in departing alongside Rodgers.

Gavin Strachan and Stevie Woods will remain at Celtic to support Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, who are set to oversee the first team on a temporary basis starting on Wednesday night against Falkirk at Celtic Park.

Kennedy has been a coach at Celtic since 2010 and has given 27 years of his life – starting from his playing career in 1999 – to the Hoops. He was an integral part of Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff.

He also admirably stood in during the turbulent 2020/2021 campaign after Lennon left the club. Despite the heavy criticisms he faced from supporters, Kennedy became a vital part of Ange’s revolution just months after a disastrous spell as caretaker.

Kennedy also passed up two opportunities to leave Celtic and maybe more that we don’t know about. Firstly, when Brendan left for Leicester in 2019 and then Ange when he departed for Tottenham in 2023. Those were two roles at the time he could have easily accepted and who would have begrudged him? But he chose to stay at Celtic. Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond blocked a move for Kennedy to join Tottenham so that Rodgers could have his trusted no.2 alongside him.

Respected by those within the club, Kennedy’s departure last night speaks volumes. He clearly stands by Rodgers and that is damning for Desmond.

Celtic have yet to release a statement confirming Kennedy’s departure but in time, he should be given the send off he deserves. A proper Celtic man who gave everything for the club. He was a massive part in players’ development over the years who have racked up eye-watering transfer fees.

Most importantly, Kennedy was crucial in helping manager’s deliver trophies from Deila to Rodgers. It says a lot that Brendan and Ange wanted him part of their coaching setups elsewhere.

Celtic have not only lost a top coach in Kennedy, but a guy who bleeds the club. Hopefully one day, he will return to the club in some capacity.

Conor Spence

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