Celtic defender John Kennedy has announced his retirement from football at the age of 26 because of injury. Kennedy was Celtic’s longest serving player but made just 45 appearances during his ten year stint at the club.

He damaged knee ligaments in his one and only appearance for Scotland back in March 2004 and was out the game for three years. He returned to the first team in April 2007, but hurt the same knee in a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk seven months later.

He played 16 times on loan at Norwich City last season, but has now called time on his career on medical advice.

Kennedy’s injury problems can be traced back to his international debut for Scotland against Romania in March 2004, when he suffered a serious knee ligament injury following a horrendous challenge by Romanian striker Ionel Ganea, which kept him out of football for three years. Several attempts at kick starting his career since then have failed, leading to this decision.

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray said, “For John, his family and indeed everyone at the club, this is extremely sad news. John is a very fine footballer and a great man, someone who served Celtic with such determination and integrity and someone who had all the qualities required to become such a wonderful player. Indeed, he was already well down that path when he sustained such a terrible injury.

“I know that whenever he represented Celtic, he did so with a tremendous passion for the club and he was someone who gave his all in every game he played. It really is tragic that John’s career has been cut so short in this manner. We will be giving John our full backing.”

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell commented, “Everyone at the club is devastated at the news of John’s retirement. John is a young man who has been an absolute credit to this club and someone who had one of the brightest futures in the game. We are all deeply saddened by this news. John is someone who fought his way through the Celtic ranks to become a first-team star – something which is a magnificent tribute to his talent and ability.

“No-one will ever forget how he performed in the Nou Camp that famous evening back in 2004 and no-one will ever forget how he was so cruelly injured in his prime. We thank John for everything he has given us – the club will be doing all it can to provide John with as much support as possible.”

Peter Rafferty, secretary of the Association of Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, described Ganea’s challenge as “shocking and disgraceful” and said, “In my honest opinion, that player should have been banned indefinitely.

“It was a disgraceful and shocking tackle and I think it was deliberate, not an accident.

“There was no need for it at all, the ball was in the middle of the park and there was no danger to Romania at the time.

“John was extremely unfortunate that night, and he has been an unlucky young man.

“It wasn’t as if he didn’t try hard enough to get back, he was very dedicated.

“You would see him running round the track at Celtic Park trying to get fit.

“He was the youngest player to play for Celtic when he made his debut in 2000.

“You could see the promise John had as a young player, and on top of that, he was a pleasant young man who always had time for people.

“It is hard to compare players of different generations but John could have been one of the best defenders ever to play for Celtic.”

Everyone at Scotzine.com wishes John the best of luck in his future, and hope that if he does stay in football that he has success as a coach or possibly in management.

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