John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan are set to remain at Celtic as key members of Ange Postecoglou ’s backroom staff.
The assistant boss and first team coach have been working closely with the Aussie as he steps up pre-season preparations at their Newport base.
Question marks had hung over the duo’s futures ever since Neil Lennon left the club in February.
But Postecoglou has been impressed with what they’ve brought to the table, saying he’ll take responsibility for who makes up his staff as he looks to stamp his mark on the side ahead of the season start.
Former Hoops defender Kennedy has now worked as a coach and assistant under Neil Lennon twice, Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers who described him as “absolutely brilliant”.
The 37-year-old also ended the season as caretaker boss after Lennon’s exit while Strachan arrived as first team coach last year.
Asked if the duo would remain in his team Postecoglou said: “I never thought otherwise.
“My history is if there’s good people in the building then there’s no reason to change it.
“So far all the staff have been excellent and have embraced where we want to go to.
“I will back my judgment in all these things. I take responsibility at the end of the day. We need to add to our staff for sure.
“We will be bringing in people at the appropriate time. Not necessarily in the coaching area but there’s other areas we need to bolster.”
Meanwhile Postecoglou has vowed to take his time over choosing a replacement for departed skipper Scott Brown but says it will be a member of his squad who understands the history and traditions of Celtic.
Callum McGregor is favourite for the role and Postecoglou will sit down with a number of experienced players before making a decision.
He said: “It’s always important. Whoever your leader is it has to be someone with similar ideals, values and beliefs that I have.
“With Scott Brown leaving it’s obviously a massive gap there. I will sit down with some good experienced players who have been here for quite a while and get their thoughts.
“Then I’ll see how they are round the place and make the decision.
“Scott Brown epitomised that. Someone who puts the club and its values above all else and drives those things.
“That’s not new - they have stood the test of time for over 100 years.
“Somebody who understands what it means to pull on the Celtic shirt and it’s history and traditions will be the person most suitable to the role.”
