John Kennedy, as a former Celtic central defender, knows all about the challenges facing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt as the first choice starters for the current Celtic side under Ange Postecoglou.
The pairing’s record in the Scottish Premiership is extraordinary, with the only defeat they’ve suffered in domestic football while both have been playing was in that extra-time Scottish Cup semi-final defeat against theRangers last April.
Vinicius Junior and Carl Starfelt during Real Madrid vs Celtic Glasgow Champions League match on November 02, 2022 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Photo: Cebolla/Senis/ ALFAQUI Madrid Santiago
Curiously though while the American international defender receives regular plaudits from the support there is a constant stream of criticism from some Celtic supporters for the Swedish international.
With Ange Postecoglou taking a well deserved break from media duties, John Kennedy, who is well experienced in handling the task from his time as the stand-in boss after Neil Lennon left and ahead of Ange’s appointment, was the man answering the questions yesterday afternoon and The Celtic Star wanted to know how impressed Kennedy, as a former central defender himself, has been with the current partnership of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt?
Cameron Carter-Vickers IMAGO / Shutterstock Photo by Luke Nickerson/
“They have been great,” John Kennedy replied. “I spoke about Kyogo at the front end of the pitch and what he’s brought. A lot of times the guys at the back can go a little bit unnoticed. That is a good thing as that means they are not making too many mistakes.
“They have been positive. They are good characters. They have had a big impact in terms of the team. They bring real stability and we have seen the more they play together the stronger they have gotten.
Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic celebrates after Kyogo Furuhashi scores their team’s second goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at on January 02, 2023 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“They contrast well with each other in terms of their styles. It has been a really good partnership. They have been strong and fit for a period of time now working together.
“In that back end of the pitch the more you play with each other you build a relationship. You build a good foundation. They are in a good place like a lot of the team are and we always keep pushing them and trying to improve them week in, week out,” the Celtic Assistant Manager told The Celtic Star.