CELTIC assistant John Kennedy has rubbished criticisms from former Parkhead and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Pat Bonner that the club are not sufficiently drilled defensively at Lennoxtown.
Speaking in the aftermath of the club’s defeat to Rangers last weekend, Bonner had suggested that Celtic “needed to work harder on the training ground.”
Kennedy dismissed the observation, believing that it peddles an untruth about the reality of day-to-day life at the club.
“This is someone who is not in the know in terms of how we work on a daily basis,” rebutted Kennedy. “It’s a throwaway comment we’ve heard a number of times this season from people who don’t understand the process of our training or the way we work.
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“It’s might be a throwaway comment but it can be dangerous as then it becomes public opinion.
“But I can assure you it’s not the truth.”
What has been inarguable, though, are Celtic’s defensive frailties this term. An unsettled backline, the chopping and changing of goalkeepers and a pervasive uncertainty has created a porous backline; Celtic have conceded 15 league goals so far this term, the same amount they lost when the league was called last March after they had played 30 games.
There have been questions asked of the defensive structure around the club and while Kennedy accepted that it has been an issue this term, he didn’t feel a personal responsibility for the stats as one of the defensive coaches.
“I don’t take it personally,” he said. “There’s a lot more aspects of the game I look at as a coach at the club.
“The defence is something we’ve had an issue with. There’s no hiding from that and it is something we are trying to address.
“We’ve very hard at eradicating the problems and it’s something we’ll continue to work on.
“It’s not one specific. It’s not just balls in to the box or set plays, it’s things leading up to that and we are looking to improve.
“We’ve had a number of challenges, like a lot of clubs, and we’ve found it difficult to get a settled side for a number of reasons, whether it’s the back four or goalkeeper.
“It’s not perfect, but that’s just the challenge you need to deal with when they arise and work on it.
“The consistency has been a problem for us this season and it is something we are addressing. We’ve not had enough clean sheets and have conceded too many goals.
“As a coaching staff we discuss it, go through the videos and look for solutions between us.
“You build confidence and relationships, in time you click and go on a run.
“We’ve been questioned but we can only reply by working hard to find the answers and going on a run.
“That’s the only way to deal with the opinions.”
Christopher Jullien’s knee injury which looks set to keep him out for the next four months mean that Celtic are expected to look for defensive reinforcements in the current window.
A recall from his loan deal for the in-form Jack Hendry who has been earning plaudits in the Belgian league with Oostende is unlikely.
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“We are discussing bringing in a centre-back but as it stands he’s not one we are talking about bringing back,” said Kennedy.
“Jack as needing a bit of game time and it was the right thing for him to go and play.
“He’s playing regularly and it’s good for his career, but we’re looking at other options.”
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