John Kennedy comments make Celtic star look ridiculous after Rangers Guard of Honour claim

Rangers are set to welcome Celtic to Ibrox in the final Scottish Premiership derby of the season and once again the match is a dead rubber.

At least in the context of the domestic season.

Whilst we’re all tired of this scenario, no Old Firm match is a genuine dead rubber with bragging rights up for grabs should Rangers or Celtic come out on top.

But ahead of the match one tiresome debate has once again reared its head, only this time a smug Celtic star has tried to take a pot shot at Rangers.

Celtic star takes incorrect Rangers ‘never really know’ Guard of Honour pot shot

The tiresome Guard of Honour debate is one that is as old as time and it usually rears its head at this time of year.

A Guard of Honour is a mark of respect given by the next team who faces the division’s champions in their first match since securing the trophy.

After Celtic secured the Scottish Premiership against Dundee United, predictably the run up to the final Old Firm of the season at Ibrox has been dominated by this subtext.

Let’s be clear here; Rangers will never give Celtic a Guard of Honour, Celtic will never give Rangers a Guard of Honour.

At least Celtic star Luke McCowan agrees, even if the former Dundee midfielder, and every journalist in the room, has a head like a sieve.

No, not at all,” said McCowan when asked if Celtic are expecting a guard of honour against Rangers at Ibrox. “But that’s just how it is, isn’t it?

“I don’t know how it would be if it was on the other foot.

We’ll never really know I don’t think, but we will wait and see what happens.”

Celtic point-blank refused to give Rangers a Guard of Honour in 2021

Whilst Luke McCowan’s Rangers baiting comments make for good headlines, we do already ‘really know’ the outcome with the shoe ‘on the other foot’.

That’s because back in 2021, the last time Rangers were crowned champions, Celtic refused to give the Gers a Guard of Honour after the Ibrox side were confirmed champions.

Rangers travelled to Celtic Park on 19th March 2021 after being crowned champions and Celtic coach John Kennedy, remarkably, turned it back onto the Gers.

Claiming that morally superior Celtic were only rejecting the notion because Rangers refused to do the same in 2019, as per always, it’s all big bad Rangers’ fault.

“We’ve spoken collectively about it and won’t do it,” Kennedy told Sky Sports.

It’s not about lacking class – it’s nothing like that, because we’re a club who always show class and dignity and do what’s right.

“I don’t think such a fuss was made about it and I don’t see it as a big issue.

“Ultimately this same group of players went in as champions and didn’t get the respect at that time if you want to call it that.

“They’re the same players who’ve been asked to stand there, so we’ve decided as a group we’ll just focus on the game and put that to bed.”

I guess we’ll never Luke, I guess we’ll never know.