John Kennedy: That was a 'top' Celtic performance as interim boss makes confidence claim

Celtic manager John Kennedy was impressed by his team's performance.

A Mohamed Elyounoussi double, an own goal from Jack Fitzwater and strikes from James Forrest, Ryan Christie and David Turnbull gave Celtic their biggest win of the season and boosted confidence ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Cup clash with Rangers

The result also secured second place in the league and the guarantee of Champions League qualifiers next season.

“The performance gives us the foundation and the basis to get results,” said Kennedy. “It has been a case of building back the structure, makes sure everybody knows their roles and then the quality always comes through.

“If you get that basis right you can control games and you can build up the confidence which we have seen today in abundance with our important players doing damage in the box.

“It was really pleasing, I thought our decision making in the final third was very good as well – we got much more attempts from inside the box. It was a top performance.”

Kennedy believes his players will head to Ibrox with a spring in their step, although that match – currently scheduled for Saturday – may get moved as it will clash with Prince Philip’s funeral.

"We know if we are on our A game we can cause Rangers huge problems so it is a good game to come out of with scoring goals and having that extra bit of confidence,” said Kennedy. “We can hopefully take it into next week and win that game.

“Week by week you see their confidence getting higher and then it is about creating chances and being clinical. From where they were, a difficult period with the manager leaving, I think slowly we are getting back into top gear and firing at the right times.”

For Livingston, it was a chastening afternoon for them in Glasgow.

"Celtic were fantastic," said boss David Martindale. "But that's probably the worst we have played in my seven years at the club.

"We need to have a long, hard look at ourselves.”