John Kennedy opens up on career-ending injury for the first time!

John Kennedy opens up on career-ending injury for the first time! - Official Celtic FC Podcast

Рет қаралды 27,635

Күн бұрын

This is the Official Celtic FC Podcast and on this episode, Hoops Assistant Manager John Kennedy joins for an exclusive interview as he breaks down his career at Paradise.
The former defender opens up for the first time about his career-ending injury in 2004 and tells the inside story about his three-year process to return to first-team football.
After starting in huge wins over Barcelona and Rangers, a 20-year-old Kennedy then suffered a horrible knee injury on his Scotland debut against Romania which forced him out of first-team action until 2007, where he miraculously returned for the SPL title-winning match away to Kilmarnock.
The one-club man breaks down exactly what happened during his three-year recovery, with countless operations as he battled back to play for Celtic again.
Hear from him as he describes the severity of the injury for the first time, including how doctors had never seen anything like it in a football player.
There's also the full story of his early Hoops career, as he made his debut under Sir Kenny Dalglish to become the youngest-ever player at the age of 16.
He talks about the incredible time under Martin O'Neill and being involved in the side that featured the likes of Henrik Larsson and Lubomir Moravick.
There's also the inside on this current group of Celtic players under the management of Brendan Rodgers and Kennedy, as he discusses the season so far in the Scottish Premiership and UEFA Champions League.
Make sure you like and subscribe to the Official Celtic FC Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode, and keep in touch on our social media @CelticView or by email at celticview@celticfc.co.uk to get your questions in for future episodes.
---
🍀Subscribe today to the official KZfaq of the world’s first Quadruple Treble winners, Celtic Football Club: kzfaq.info_c...
📽️ Plus, you can watch exclusive player and manager interviews, full-match replays and go behind the scenes of Celtic FC ONLY on Celtic TV. Subscribe today!
www.celticfc.tv/
Connect with Celtic Football Club ⤵️
Website: www.celticfc.com/
Facebook: / celticfc
Twitter: / celticfc
Instagram: / celticfc
TikTok: / celticfc
GIPHY: giphy.com/celticfc
Snapchat: / celticfc

Пікірлер: 58

@jamesbhoy8867 8 ай бұрын

Guy deserves nothing but respect, a true celtic man, has had many chances to leave and hasnt his love for the club has always shined through 💚

@Anthonys_S 8 ай бұрын

When Ryan read about the circumstance and the injury I actually nearly cried , seriously. Can’t even imagine how much strength it took for this guy to still be working at the top in football. Even so often since then when he was getting blamed for poor Celtic defences as a coach it would have been easy to walk but he didn’t. I have no problem with this guy having a job for life at Celtic in some area. The respect I have for his strength of mind is unreal

@theunderwatercabbagesalesman 8 ай бұрын

That tackle in the camp nou against ronaldinho!!! Immense, the look of disbelief on ronaldinhos face was priceless! John had hugh potentially!! 🍀

@Anthonys_S 8 ай бұрын

Have to say here how well has young Ryan done , he’s imo a really amazing presenter and seems like he’s been at it for many years , keep at it young man

@joehamiltonsongs 8 ай бұрын

I love a true Celtic man and big John is a true Celtic man. Total respect for staying at Celtic and giving so much back to the club we all love.

@grahamcotter108 8 ай бұрын

Future celtic manager in the making no doubt; he's got all the necessary qualities.

@crispybacon5378 8 ай бұрын

Was absolutely gutted for him that night he got injured. Remember the tackle vividly. The biggest prospect we had at the time. Has turned into a true Celtic hero 💚

@jameslarkin8494 8 ай бұрын

John Kennedy is worth his weight in gold for Celtic, his loyalty is massive, his foresight is massive,also we are very lucky to have him here at this club. John your doing great....The well will never run dry just as-long as your still doing a wonderful job.I would put John in the same category (a class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics.) as George Connolly...Celtic FC missed 2 fantastic players,not even in their prime.

@markcampbell1466 8 ай бұрын

Excellent comparison with George although his case was markedly different. He actually walked away from the game when he was at the height of his powers because he didn't want the limelight. He wanted a quiet life. Totally respect his decision but players who played in that Celtic time are on record as saying his ability was unbelievable and it was a terribly sad day for football when he called it a day when he had so much more to give. I can recall the day John got that horrific injury. I was purring at his displays at the Nou Camp and Ibrox. I thought we had an immense centre half who would become a Celtic great but he never had the chance. Sport can be incredibly cruel at times.

@grahammckechnie8438 8 ай бұрын

Assuming he weighs approx 13 stone the current gold price is £52 per gram which means he's worth £ 4,292,756, obviously there are variables in there , I've only guessed his weight

@jordandee1888 8 ай бұрын

What a guy 💚🍀

@peterabnormal327 8 ай бұрын

Props to Celtic for looking after him and giving a chance… secondly guys what a defender he would a been proper rolls Royce !!!

@Anthonys_S 8 ай бұрын

Wasn’t he just , most smooth and commanding 16 / 17 year old I’ve ever seen, I remember after watching him play against Dundee utd on henriks come back from from broken leg thinking this guy seems like he’s played for 20 years at the top , he was just commanding.

@quotemenot7520 8 ай бұрын

John should be considered a Celtic legend and that continues with his work with the squad and Brendan. Gave his all for the club and if not for the injury, who knows how much further he would have gone. He is a Celtic man for life and a real gent he is too. Keep up the great work John. HH

@concernedcitizen1984 8 ай бұрын

Interesting guest and Q&A. I recall all the talk around John Kennedy and the tackle which cut short a promising playing career. The type of challenge which would be an assault charge if it occurred off the playing field. Seems quite a serious individual and although he took a bit of flack from fan's when Ange arrived, and I was one of them, John Kennedy has earned a lot of respect from those within the game. He's been at Celtic man and boy, so best of luck to him. Hail Hail

@kevingolden5675 8 ай бұрын

What a man, thanks for everything you've done for us🍀💚👏

@Anthonys_S 8 ай бұрын

I love how he’s like aye you just go and play left back just get on with it 🤣 like I’ve said the guy is so chilled but also doesn’t do himself nearly enough credit A lot of younger ppl might not fully realise or take this in but when John is talking about his first seasons he was 16 , 16! Honestly he’s probably not doing himself credit either he was like a full grown 30 year old at 16 , I will always remember him especially , as I said in another comment he was so commanding at such a young age . It’s so sad he got his injuries as I have no doubt John would have played hundreds of games for Celtic and would of had 50 caps plus for Scotland , I’m positive of that

@StrangeloveTheDoctor 8 ай бұрын

Incredible Interview, I remember big Kendo breaking into the side & he had everything as a young player, strong, smart, technically good. I want to hear more from the big fellla.

@rhoderickyoungs3364 8 ай бұрын

Spoke for an hour there and not a word out out of place. What a humble big guy who is a great role model for our players, his contribution to our club over the years should not be overlooked.

@ragnarlothbrok8026 8 ай бұрын

Was an absolute sin what happened to john! I'm genuinely not saying this cos I'm a fan but he was the most exciting prospect I had seen to play CB in many years to come out of scotland! He could easily have went into depression and walked away from the game but shows his character he chose to coach other young players instead of being bitter about the situation..top lad HH

@jamesc5657 8 ай бұрын

How can over 3000 fans watch this podcast and only 146 of them like it . Well done Ryan and John for a fantastic interview.

@dg-bd1hj 8 ай бұрын

18k now and only 367

@You-Deef 8 ай бұрын

Most views come from smart TVs, and usually people are not signed in when watching KZfaq on those, me included

@GMcG007 8 ай бұрын

Big jk is one of the lads you won’t find a nicer guy in the game no deserves it all and much more such a lovely family much respect big guy

@jk12114 8 ай бұрын

Well done John and Family for Walking thru the storm . I'm grateful all the time that the big man is in our dressing room wi John Clark looking after and coaching our players . I watched JK play at the top ,beat Barca , defeat the real rangers and win the League . 💚💛 CHAMPIONS , (is who they are ) !

@davyg8864 8 ай бұрын

I support rangers but the tackle on John Kennedy that night was one of the worst I have ever saw in football. Tragic for the guy, career over because of some players stupidity it was a shocking tackle. can't knock Celtic for the way they have kept him in the club and not just ditched him. Alliance's aside it's always bad to see a young lads playing career end in such a way

@patrickmclaughlin8424 8 ай бұрын

Him n david marshall were immense at the nou camp that night

@paulinemaclean1298 8 ай бұрын

Love it. A real Celtic man and he deserves all the success he's had and going to have! Love that bhoy!

@neildmedia 8 ай бұрын

Proper Celtic man. Had no idea about his injury and his youthful promise. If it goes well under Rodgers he deserves a shot as manager. Probably why he stayed this time. Has learned from Rodgers and Ange though losing the 10 under Lennon is a huge blot on his CV.

@JohnCl 8 ай бұрын

It takes a very special man with incredible character to come through what John did as a young man. Many would have chucked in the towel and hit the skids. Not John Kennedy.

@user-pw3ej2wx1x 8 ай бұрын

Absolute legend 🍀

@robertmacmillan6027 8 ай бұрын

Really good interview 🍀🍀🍀

@Boabywankenobi 8 ай бұрын

Don't care what the qualifications are - a Celtic Legend for me.

@alexduffy9040 8 ай бұрын

Great man

@Pk-fi5hq 8 ай бұрын

True Celtic man on another point the club needs to take a proper stand and back Abada a club statement ain’t enough

@owendoyle6403 8 ай бұрын

Regards John.👏💪👏👍⭐

@YNWA188.. 8 ай бұрын

Hail hail John Kennedy 💪 a true rebel 🇮🇪👊

@lynchliam 8 ай бұрын

Enjoyed that

@Cef1981 8 ай бұрын

Great member of our sqad

@angellike2234 8 ай бұрын

Cracking guy

@robinlau40 8 ай бұрын

Great servant to the club,forgot how young he was for his debut..all round good guy and ok obviously good at his job as most new manager want him there..proud to say I wasn't one who kind of turned on him at the end of Lenny's last stint..HH 🍀👏

@CraigWhyteCSC 8 ай бұрын

Controversial but i honestly hope he gets the job after Rodgers the man deserves a chance he’s learned so much from a few top managers not right him being loyal to us & no getting a shot at it.

@Delboy-hi1ld 8 ай бұрын

@jamesh8672 8 ай бұрын

🍀💚

@Nihon0509 8 ай бұрын

Nothing but respect for John, I was devastated for him when his career was cut short, but I will still call out that Celtic's defence in Europe has never improved during his time as the defensive coach at Celtic. Rangers have defensively played better than us in Europe in recent years with a poor defense.

@Nihon0509 8 ай бұрын

@NoName88837 his role is to help develop players, and he works as a tactician in training as well. However, would you say our defenders have developed under his role as assistant manager and coach, and how about defensively between the defence and midfield? Would you say that has improved in Europe? He was also previously a part of Celtic's recruitment team so now in his role where I am sure he has input when choosing new recruits especially for defence, do you think we have identified top defensive talent that can be competitive in Europe like we have in midfield and upfront?

@markcampbell1466 8 ай бұрын

What? The same Rangers defence who lost seven goals to Liverpool at Ibrox? That defence. They might have done okay in the Europa League but they are garbage in the Champions League where the really top teams play.

@Nihon0509 8 ай бұрын

@markcampbell1466 what exactly did Celtic do other than show promise last year and will do the same again this year. And, next summer, we will be lucky to hold onto our best talent as they will likely move on. I'm tired of Celtic being a player development nursery for other clubs. Rangers didn't do well last year in the Champions League, but they have progressed further than we have in the past 10 years in Europe, even if it was the Europa League. We haven't gotten past the last 32 of a European competition since Neil Lennon's first stint as Celtic manager in the 2012-13 Champions league season were lost to Juventus in the round of 16.