JOHN KENNEDY says neither he nor the Celtic players are being distracted by speculation over the vacant manager’s position, with Eddie Howe closing in on a deal to become the club’s new head coach.

Howe is Celtic’s preferred candidate to succeed Neil Lennon as manager, and is expected to make a decision on taking the position in the coming days following talks earlier this week with the club’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond in London.

Kennedy himself harboured hopes of landing the top job, but reports suggest he may be kept on by Howe as assistant manager if he does decide to commit to Celtic, with Gavin Strachan also being maintained on the coaching staff.

In the meantime, interim manager Kennedy says that he is just getting on with the job he has been asked to do.

“It’s not particularly an issue,” Kennedy said.

“For the players, it’s about playing football. Going out playing the game, training every day. That’s what gives them comfort. They don’t need to stress too much about what’s going on at boardroom level.

“They are focused on making themselves better and improving their performances so that side of thing has been easy to manage for myself. We’re happy to let others deal with whatever else is going on.

“And listen, that applies to me as much as it applies to the players.

“The board will be making decisions, some have already been taken. Any other changes they feel will benefit the club moving forward will be made. The club is examining all possible options, they are reviewing everything and every aspect. They are taking their time to make the right decisions. You can sometimes rush these things and arrive at a decision that isn’t quite right.

“The club, from that side of things, are taking their time and ensuring the right kind of people are brought in.

“They know these decisions have to be made, but they are making them with calm heads.”