Everything Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy had to say in his pre-match press conference ahead of Celtic taking on Athletic Club in James Forrest's testimonial...

What are your memories of meeting James Forrest for the first time?

I have a good relationship with him having worked with him and known him for a long time. I think everyone knows the sort of character James is. He is a very humble and quiet guy. For someone who has achieved so much in the game, you would never know as he would never mention it or big himself up. He has a lot of humility about him and I think that is due to how he has grown up and the people he surrounds himself with, that is his nature. In terms of the way he works, he is such a professional guy and one of the first in here every day. That is why he has had such a successful career because he does everything properly. He is a great professional and someone the young players can look up to. He has been a great servant, is a great guy and you never have any trouble with him at all. He puts everything into it and in terms of all his achievements, he deserves them. The game tomorrow night will be a great occasion for everyone to come together and recognise what he brings to Celtic. As he steps away from it and hangs up his boots, 30 years from now people will look back and see he has achieved greatness.

Do you think he [Forrest] is a modern great?

Definitely, players coming in from other countries might feel a bit sexier at times but in terms of what James has produced year on year and the time he has spent at the club, it is a hell of a lot of work. Some players might only stay for a few seasons or have a dip in form and not quite hit the heights they once did but James has been very consistent. He has had injury troubles but in terms of the consistency of winning trophies on a regular basis, it is up there with the very best. I'm happy with him because he does not hog the limelight and he just tries to work hard as part of a team. It might be a testimonial and a friendly but we are treating it like a competitive game. It will be nice for James to get the recognition he deserves. 

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Has it been a seamless transition with the new manager coming in?

I think, in terms of the processes, it has been pretty easy for us. I have obviously worked with him [Rodgers] before and I know his expectations. A lot of the guys here, even in the background, have been here during his time before. They know he has high standards and will need to deliver that. On the flip side, you have the majority of the players who have not worked under him. In terms of the training and the way we work, Brendan has put his own stamp on a few things alongside the good things that have been part of the previous seasons in terms of bringing success. In terms of fitness, everything has been really important, but there have been a few tactical tweaks in terms of different things at different times that we will try to work with the players on. I think game-by-game and session-by-session we are seeing things develop. That is very much how Brendan operates. The different systems and the different ways of working are the things the players have been working on. That will take time and I think in the first game in Japan, there were good moments we looking for and some things to work on. I think that has grown in each game and we saw lots of performances, especially in the first half, against Wolves, which gave us encouragement. We should have been 3-0 up at half-time but the signs are good and we are moving in the right direction.

What was your reaction to Brendan Rodgers joining the club for the second time?

It came a little bit out of the blue in terms of Ange [Postecoglou] opting to move on. As always, there was an area of uncertainty when a manager moves on in terms of the direction of the club. The club moved quickly, which shows that behind the scenes and upstairs, the club are prepared in that respect. 

They moved swiftly to bring Brendan in, which was terrific in terms of bringing a manager in of that calibre off the back of a really successful period, has been great. He is coming into a place he knows and recognises what has been achieved over the last couple of seasons and he will try to develop that further. I think it was a big boost for everyone, in terms of those who know him but also those working with him for the first time. It has been great for everyone from the club's perspective but also for everyone in the house, also.

Any truth in the rumours that Postecoglou wanted to take you to Spurs?

I had a great working relationship with Ange. We worked really closely together and got on really well. We had discussions about that, but at the same time there are two sides in terms of there is stuff on Celtic's end in terms of staying here. At the time, there was no clear idea on who the manager would be, so I was in the position with decisions to make but when the club appointed Brendan, things started to become a bit clearer. Obviously, the decision to remain here as part of Brendan's team was made and I am delighted to be part of that. I have obviously worked here a long time, I know how the place operates and have had great periods of success here. The relationship I have with Brendan bodes well going forward.