Pundit Noel Whelan has made it clear that John Kennedy should be kept by Celtic ahead of the potential arrival of Eddie Howe.

It has been suggested that, while Howe has agreed to manage Celtic in principle, he has made certain demands to the club's board before he takes over.

Celtic urged to keep Kennedy at Parkhead

Whelan was recently talking to Football Insider and he gave his opinion about Kennedy's position at the club. The pundit believes that perhaps Neil Lennon holds Kennedy in high regard and maybe the current interim boss doesn't even want the job permanently, instead being happy to work in the background.

Whelan feels that Howe would need Kennedy's insight about the club because the 37-year-old has been at Parkhead for many years now. The pundit also made it clear that it would be a mistake for the Hoops to get rid of a coach like Kennedy.

The ex-Aberdeen striker said: “The assistant manager (Kennedy) has been there for a long, long, long, long time. As much as Neil Lennon’s been there, I would probably imagine that Lennon found his work and insight absolutely invaluable.

“When you’re coming into a new club, it’s so important you keep some of these people. He’s been there for a number of years. He will know his role that he was only a stand-in appointment as manager.

“He probably doesn’t even want the job permanently. He’s more than happy just being in the background, helping along as much as he possibly can.

“I think Eddie Howe is really going to need that kind of insight, knowledge and experience. He’s a man that has been at the football club for many, many years.

“It’d be the wrong decision to get rid of people and have a complete overhaul of coaches. Players need it as well, they need a familiar face.”

Kennedy has held multiple roles at Parkhead in the past and has previously managed the club's under-19s side and has been the assistant manager of the under-20s. He also played for the Hoops in the 2000s (Transfermarkt).

Keeping Kennedy will be important for Celtic

The Hoops are set to lose Scott Brown in the summer as he is set to join Aberdeen on a player-coach basis. Peter Lawwell is also set to depart, with Dominic McKay due to take over later this month as well. The Bhoys are also looking to bring in a new director of football, with Fergal Harkin being eyed for the role.

In a situation like that, the new manager might need someone at the club who knows the place well. Kennedy has been at Parkhead for many years and, as Whelan has hinted, his continuity could be vital at a time of considerable upheaval around Celtic.

In other news, one pundit has highlighted a 'worry' for Celtic fans over Eddie Howe - read more here.