Kennedy has become a hate figure for some fans. It’s embarrassing and has to stop

I don’t use the word hate lightly, or often, but in the context of this article I don’t think there any other I could use. Dislike, detest or despise are all good substitutes but just don’t cut it and let me explain why.

John Kennedy joined the Celtic first team backroom staff when Ronny Delia was appointed manager back in 2014. His role was first team coach and he helped Delia guide the Hoops to two league titles and a cup double. He continued the same role under Brendan Rodgers and we all know the success of that tenure (with Kennedy as part of the backroom staff).

Then when Rodgers left, Lennon took over for his second spell and Kennedy was promoted to Assistant Manager. Presumably because of the hard work behind the scenes helping to guide Celtic to, arguably, their most successful period in their history.

This season has seen an enormous blip in the teams fortunes. Knocked out of Europe (twice) before Christmas and an early exit in the League Cup coupled with an eleven point gap has left many Hoops fans rightly upset, but there is an element of support so emotionally affected by this that they aim to seek a scapegoat. Kennedy seems to be that one.

Under Rodgers, we were so used to winning that if we even conceded a goal some supporters would ask “What’s Kennedy doing as the defensive coach?”.  Firstly, I’ve never seen that type of criticism before, ever, as a Celtic fan. I only ever remember the team losing a goal and the fans would be upset at losing a goal, not questioning the first teams coach’s role in the goal! Secondly, as I have explained here before, Kennedy has never been the defensive coach. There never has been a defensive coach at Celtic. Ever!

I wrote an article last night questioning Chris Sutton’s motives for lambasting Kennedy for his role in the current teams form.  As regular readers know, I promote these articles on various Celtic Facebook groups, and the response to that astounded me. The level of, or lack of, knowledge and understanding of Kennedy’s role amongst some Celtic fans is unreal, and the amount of speculation that Kennedy is somehow solely at fault for the current mess is inaccurate. I was looking for a more effective phrase to use but I’ll leave it at inaccurate.

There were fans accusing Kennedy of being a “rat”, “Liewwells puppet” (yes that is how some fans are now referring to the CEO), and “stabbing Lennon in the back”. But there is more but I can’t write it here or I’ll get the sack. Some fans still blame him for defensive errors because he is the “defence coach”. Whatever that is. And some fans, unbelievably are asking “What exactly is he doing?”.  Know what? Just search for Vital Celtic News in any Celtic Facebook group and you will see what I am talking about.

I can’t ever remember a time in my life as a Celtic fan the support go after an assistant with such ferocity. In fact, I cant ever remember Celtic fans questioning Gary Pendrey or John Robertson’s role at the club or even blaming them for the team performance if things turned sour. Sutton didn’t help matters with his interview yesterday as threw the fuel over an already burning fire.  Fans are even speculating about Kennedy and Lennon’s body language and they are basing their opinions on a three second TV snippet after the team have lost a goal! What are they  expecting. The two of them to hug and hold hands?

Now, I am not for one second suggesting Kennedy has no part to play in this. He has. He is culpable. He is the assistant manager and as such must take his share of the blame, but this section of fans that throw unsubstantiated vitriol because they “heard on Facebook” need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

We are supposed to be “The best fans if the world”.  Events over the last 24 hours have made me question that.

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