Kennedy on his way back

Celtic defender John Kennedy admits he is finally beginning to feel part of the team again following 15 months on the sidelines.

A question mark was thrown over the 20-year-old’s career when a challenge from Romania’s Vio Ganea during his Scotland debut in March last year left him with a shattered knee.

He admits in those early days he thought he may never play again but three operations later he is well on the road to recovery.

The season may be over but Kennedy admits he feels more rejuvenated than ever now that he can take part in the simple task of joining his team-mates for running sessions.

He said: “For the best part of the year, I have been stuck in the gym on my own doing basic things so it is good to be able to go out in the fresh air and do things that I used to do.

“Just out running on the pitch beside the other players makes me feel part of things again and it’s a hell of lot different to what I have been used to.

“I just hope that in a couple of months I will be taking part in training rather than just running about.

“It was like a light at the end of the tunnel when the doctors told me I would be okay and now I just have to work hard to get there.

“A lot of people let their heads go down and that’s when things don’t work out for you in the long-run but the people here wouldn’t let you get into that state of mind.”

One of those people who helped him through his darker moments was fellow defender Bobo Balde.

The Hoops star has admitted he is interested in the prospect of playing for Bayern Munich next season and could already have played his final game for Celtic.

Kennedy has no idea whether he will stay or not but he credits Balde with helping him on his way to pulling on a Celtic jersey again.

He said: “I have had a few one-to-one chats with Bobo and he is one of the players who have sat me down and spoken to me – it’s things like that that get you through this and get you back to where you were.

“He has been great for us, it’s his decision at the end of the day, but I am sure everybody wants him to stay.

“He has been a good defender, he’s done well and I don’t know what will happen over the summer. There aren’t many players like Jackie McNamara now who will stay at the club for 10 years and if he goes I am sure there are people who can replace him.”

Kennedy’s rehabilitation work means he is one of the few players who have met new boss Gordon Strachan and he reckons the fiery redhead has already identified himself as a no-nonsense character.

He said: “He’s a new manager and he’s under a fair bit of pressure so he’s not going to take any rubbish from anyone. It’s a clean slate for everyone and everyone will have to be on their toes.”