Recovering Kennedy looking for Celtic return in 2006

Celtic defender John Kennedy is more concerned with making a New Year return than getting an apology from Vio Ganea.

A reckless challenge from the Romania international threatened to prematurely end the Celtic defender’s blossoming career as he made his senior Scotland debut at Hampden Park in March last year.

The tackle left the 21-year-old with ligament, cruciate and tendon damage from which he is not expected to recover until the turn of the year.

Kennedy has still not had an apology from the Wolves player but that is the last thing on his mind.

He told Sky Sports News: “I am not too worried about that – I am thinking more about Celtic and getting back on track.

“I am not too worried about what is happening with him or whether he is going to contact me. I need to be focussed on playing football again and that’s all I’m interested in doing.”

Kennedy is on the way to recovery but he knows he owes a huge debt to Dr Richard Steadman, the Colorado specialist who has also treated Ronaldo and Alan Shearer.

“Once I got out there Dr Steadman kept me going and told me things would be okay,” he said.