John Kennedy has confirmed that Celtic will not give arch-rivals Rangers a guard of honour ahead of the Old Firm derby this Sunday.
Steven Gerrard’s side were recently crowned champions and, in the process put an end to the Hoops ten-in-a-row bid.
Rangers refused to give their city rivals a guard of honour after they had wrapped up the title in 2019. However, the Bhoys manager at the time Brendan Rodgers has urged his former club to show “class and humility” by applauding the champions prior to Sunday’s clash at Celtic Park.
Kennedy explained Celtic’s decision to opt against the traditional pre-match ritual for new champions coming onto the pitch.
He told Sky Sports: “It is a subject that has been brought up and I’ve seen several people chatting about it.
“It was the same two years ago when we were the champions although, if I’m being honest, I don’t think such a fuss was made about it and I don’t see it as a big issue.
“We have spoken collectively about it and we won’t do it.
“It is not about lacking class, it is nothing like that because we are a club that always shows class and dignity and does what’s right.
“But ultimately, that same group of players who went there as champions and didn’t get respect at that time, if you want to call it that, are the same players who are being asked to stand there so we have decided, as a group, that we will just get on with the game.”
