Kennedy ready for Kilmarnock test

Celtic’s u-19 side travel to Kilwinning tomorrow to take on Kilmarnock in their first SPL match for almost a month, kick off 11.30am.

John Kennedy’ side will be bolstered by having half a dozen players who have been involved with the first team since their last SPL outing- a 3-1 win over St Johnstone on October 1.

The last competitive match was away to Manchester City in the NextGen Series with the confidence of winning that match 4-2 running through the entire squad which was followed up by Callum McGregor, Paul George, Patrik Twardzik, Joe Chalmers and Marcus Fraser flying out to Rennes with the first team squad.

Kennedy admitted: “The league table has changed a bit since our last game but there’s nothing that we can do about results for other teams.

“We’re looking forward to playing again and the players all know the results that are required. Our postponed matches have been re-arranged for before Christmas which is good news for us.

“It’s important that we keep on winning and the whole squad has had a boost from some of the boys being involved with the first team. Everyone gets the benefits and they can see the incentives in front of them.

“Everything is about development and the players benefit from being involved with the first team but they know that they have to play well in the 19’s to earn that chance.”

Kilmarnock are sitting in fifth place in the table and enjoyed a 3-2 win over St Johnstone last week watched by Kennedy.

The Celtic coach added: “I was impressed by Kilmarnock, they played with ten men and got the points against a good St Johnstone team.

“We know that it will be a hard game but if we play to our strengths we have the players capable of winning the match.”

Hearts, Aberdeen and Hibs are all above Celtic with Aberdeen beating Dundee United 4-0 earlier today.

Celtic have games in hand over the three teams above them with only league leaders Hearts in action tomorrow.