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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Celtic boss issues statement as club decide to shun Rangers guard of honour

Celtic's interim boss John Kennedy has confirmed that his side will not give Rangers a guard of honour.

Steven Gerrard's side will arrive at Parkhead for Sunday's Old Firm derby as the newly crowned Scottish champions.

Celtic's nine-year dominance has come to an end and they are now playing for pride.

There has been plenty of talk as to whether they would honour their arch rivals.

Rangers opted against giving Celtic a guard of honour when they hosted them at Ibrox in 2019.

And Kennedy has confirmed that they will follow suit but doesn't see it as a "big issue".

John Kennedy has confirmed there will be no guard of honour (PA)

He told Sky Sports : "It is something that we have discussed. It is a subject that has been brought up and I have seen several people talking about it.

"It was the same two years ago when we were champions and if I am being honest, I don't think such a fuss was being made about it. I don't see it as a big issue.

"For us, we spoke collectively about it and we won't do it. It is not about lacking class, nothing like that, because we are a club that always shows class and dignity and do what is right

Rangers will arrive at Parkhead as champions (PA)

"But ultimately this same group of players went in as champions and didn't get the respect that time if you want to call it that.

"They are the same players who are being asked to stand there. We have decided collectively as a group.

"We will just get on with the game, park that, so we will focus fully on the game and just put that to bed."

Former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who won two league titles at the club, had urged them to show "humility" at give the guard of honour.

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