Celtic have used the five substitutes rule to maximum effect under Ange Postecoglou and Assistant Manager John Kennedy also manages to keep fringe players happy as well as more often than not inflicted additional suffering on the opposition in the second half of matches.
Speaking to Celtic TV this afternoon John Kennedy reckons that the 5 subs rule works well in providing as many players as possible with valuable match-time.
“I think it does. It allows us to maintain the intensity in the games and the energy levels for ourselves. We play a very high-intensity game which takes a lot out of the boys, especially when there are three games a week,” Celtic’s Assistant manager said.
“We have to have a squad that is ready to go and execute that. The players know on a daily basis that the way we train and prepare for games, so even if they are not playing at the weekend, they have to keep training at levels that when they do come and they do have an impact.
“We’ve seen that many times this season in terms of players coming in and making a difference in the game, whether that be seeing a game out or really pushing on and getting the extra goals that we need. That’s a big part of the game and is something the manager emphasises continuously, whether you are on the pitch for 90 minutes, 30 minutes or 15 minutes, you have to make an impact. That’s your job.
“Again, you have to be selfless in that. A lot of players get upset when they don’t play, that’s totally natural, but it’s important that they work that in the right way that it’s beneficial to the team and they don’t put themselves in front of that.”
Watch John Kennedy’s exclusive interview with Celtic TV below…
