John Kennedy excited about renewed working relationship with Brendan Rodgers
Kennedy chose to stay at Celtic instead of moving to Tottenham
John Kennedy is excited about his renewed working relationship with Brendan Rodgers after his own future was clarified by the manager's return to Celtic.
Ange Postecoglou wanted Kennedy to join him at Tottenham after leaving Celtic in the wake of clinching the treble, but the chance to be reunited with Rodgers soon emerged.
Kennedy had previously been asked to move to the Premier League by Rodgers when the Northern Irishman left Celtic for Leicester in February 2019 but fate saw them resume their partnership in Glasgow.
"I had a great working relationship with Ange, we worked really closely together and got on really well," the 39-year-old said. "We had discussions around that.
"There were two sides to it, there was stuff at Celtic's end in terms of staying here, but at the time there was no clear idea who the manager was going to be.
"I was in a position with decisions to make but when the club moved quickly to appoint Brendan, things started to become a bit clearer and the decision was made for me to stay here and be part of Brendan's team again which I am delighted to be part of.
"I have obviously worked here a long time, I know how the place operates, we have had great periods of success here and the fact Brendan was coming back and the relationship we had already, that will bode well going forward.
"It is certainly something I am excited about."
Kennedy was speaking ahead of James Forrest's testimonial match against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.
The match to honour a player who has so far won 22 trophies for Celtic will also benefit two charities, Kilbryde Hospice and Celtic FC Foundation.
Kennedy said: "For someone who has achieved so much in the game, you would never know it from speaking to him, he never bigs himself up in any way. He has a lot of humility around him.
"He is such a professional guy, one of the first in every day. He does everything properly to make sure he is ready for games and training and that's why he has been at this club for such a long time and had great success.
"He is a hell of a professional and one that all the guys can learn from and look up to. This game will be a great occasion for everybody to come together and recognise what he has given to Celtic.
"When he hangs up his boots, in 10, 20, 30 years' time, when people look at the lists of the legends for Celtic, they will realise how big a player he was and what he achieved was certainly greatness.
"Because he is so professional, he is in very good shape and still able to produce great moments, so he will certainly be an important player going forward."
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Founded in 1888, Willie Maley was Celtic's first manager and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history. He managed the club from 1897 to 1940, winning thirty major trophies (16 league championships and 14 Scottish Cups).
Jimmy McStay (circled) managed Celtic between 1940 and 1945. However, this clashed with the suspension of the League and Scottish Cup during wartime, meaning he never had the opportunity to manage the club in official competitions.
All-time leading goalscorer in top-flight British football Jimmy McGrory managed Celtic from 1945 to 1965. He won one First Division trophy, two Scottish League Cups, two Scottish Cups, four Glasgow Cups, one Coronation Cup, one Saint Mungo Cup and four Glasgow Charity Cups.
Jock Stein managed Celtic from 1965 to 1978 and guided Celtic to nine successive Scottish League championships between 1966 and 1974. He also won one European Cup, eight Scottish Cups, six Scottish League Cups, five Glasgow Cups and one Drybrough Cup.
Billy McNeil managed Celtic from 1978 to 1983. McNeil won three Scottish League titles, one Scottish Cup, one Scottish League Cup and one Glasgow Cup.
McNeil returned from 1987 to 1991 where he won one Scottish League title and two Scottish Cups.
David Hay managed Celtic from 1983 to 1987 and won one Scottish League title and one Scottish Cup.
Liam Brady managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 but failed to win any trophies.
Lou Macari managed Celtic from 1993 to 1994 but he failed to win any trophies.
Tommy Burns managed Celtic from 1994 to 1997 and he won one Scottish Cup.
Wim Jansen managed Celtic from 1997 to 1998 and won One Scottish Premier Division Title and One Scottish League Cup.
Jozef Venglos managed Celtic from 1998 to 1999 but did not win any trophies
John Barnes managed Celtic from 1999 to 2000 but did not win any trophies.
Kenny Dalglish managed Celtic in 2000 and won one Scottish League Cup
Martin O'Neil managed Celtic from 2000 to 20005 and won three Scottish Premier Leagues, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Gordon Strachan managed Celtic from 2005 to 2009 and won three consecutive Scottish Premier League Titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.
Tony Mowbray managed Celtic from 2009 to 2010 but failed to win any trophies.
Neil Lennon managed Celtic from 2010 to 2014 and he won three Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups.
Lennon returned from 2019 to 2021, where he won two more League titles, two Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Ronny Delia managed from 2014 to 2016 where he won two Scottish Premierships and one Scottish League Cup.
Brendan Rodgers managed Celtic from 2016 to 2019 where he won two Scottish Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.
Ange Postecoglou took over as Celtic manager in 2021 and has won a Scottish League Cup.