CELTIC interim manager John Kennedy insists that his players are fully-focussed on beating Dundee United on Sunday afternoon - but it has nothing to do with Rangers' imminent title win.
Steven Gerrard's side are 18 points clear of the Parkhead club at the table's summit and are now only four points away from their first championship win in a decade as they prepare to host St Mirren on Saturday.
A home win at Ibrox, paired with a Celtic slip-up at Tannadice, would confirm title No.55 for the Govan club.
When Kennedy, who took his first steps into first-team management with a 1-0 home win over Aberdeen last week, was asked if delaying Rangers their glory could be an added incentive to the players, he said: "It might be, but again we can't worry about what might be going on elsewhere or how it might affect anybody else.
"We have to think about ourselves all the time and that's where we are at.
"Ultimately, Rangers are sitting in a very strong position and if we were sitting in that position, we would be feeling confident.
READ MORE: Celtic winger leaves Parkhead and signs three-year deal with New York Red Bulls
"So we have to think about ourselves - face up to the season. This is the way it has been but what do we do to get moving forward and that's improve on performances and be more consistent.
"There was lots in the Aberdeen game I really liked, especially in the first half when we were slick in our play and created good opportunities, and I think if we get a second goal it is a totally different game.
"We have tried to instil more belief and confidence in ourselves as the week has gone on and we just want to show that in our performances and park what might or might not be elsewhere.
"Obviously it might be in the back of some people's heads who have been here a long time, and if that is extra motivation then great, use it for that. But ultimately it won't be a motivating factor."
Kennedy added that the recent news that the Scottish Cup is set to return after all this term would provide his players with a welcome boost.
"It is a trophy we have had great success in in recent seasons and we are current holders," said Kennedy, who also revealed James Forrest has returned to training again following a setback after ankle surgery.
"It is great we get the opportunity, it gives us something else to attack in the season and look forward to. And going into a Scottish Cup final at the end of the season is always a great feeling and a great motivation.
"Again if there is some sort of motivation for the season now it is very much our performances and results, but when there is silverware there to be played for that makes it all the better."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel