John Kennedy reflects on decision to turn down Hibs job

John Kennedy has maintained he cannot think of might-have-beens as he finds himself in a precarious position, despite his elevation to Celtic interim manager.

Celtic interim manager John Kennedy says his determination never to have any regrets in life extends to turning down the chance to become Hibs manager - even though he now faces an uncertain future at Parkhead (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The club appear certain to look beyond the 37-year-old in appointing a permanent successor to Neil Lennon, who left this week. Any new manager would likely insist on bringing in his own backroom team and that could mean Kennedy being forced to end his 10-year coaching career at a club with which he has spent more than two decades.

The situation makes Kennedy’s decision to reject the offer to going into frontline management with Hibs back in November 2019 - before Jack Ross was recruited - now appear questionable, but he refuses to harbour any regrets.

"In my whole career and life, I don't have regrets,” said Kennedy, forced to retire from playing at 26 as a result of a horrendous knee injury. “I very much evaluate any decision I make and I go with it, I fully commit and then what will be, will be. I trust myself to make the right decision. You always reflect on it and question things but certainly at this time that's nothing to do with it at all. I have dedicated everything in my time and life to do the best for the club, so that's the same for now in terms of the situation we find ourselves in now. It's about what's right for the club and not my agenda and what's good for me.”

Kennedy, who began his interim spell with a 1-0 win at home to Aberdeen, takes the same attitude to the possibility that he could find himself surplus to requirements at the club whenever a new manager arrives. “I’m really not worried about what comes in the coming months,” he said. “I trust myself in terms of coming in here every day and putting full effort into everything I can. This is not a time for me thinking, what if this happens?, what if that happens? The only thing I’m focusing on is making sure I’m setting the right example and try to win as many games as possible. What happens beyond that is genuinely something I am not thinking about. “

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