Irony Is Not Lost On Kennedy As an Injury Paves Thewayfor His Return to Starting Xi

Summary

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JOHN KENNEDY would be the last person to revel in the injury of a fellow professional but the Achilles problem which has sidelined Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe will give the centre-half a chance to re- establish himself for Celtic this afternoon. Doumbes painful twist and fall against Milan in midweek has heightened Gordon Strachans full-back crisis, with Mark Wilson recovering from knee surgery and even youngster Paul Caddis on the treatment table. Gary Caldwell will have to fill in as a makeshift right-back against Gretna today and that will hand Kennedy a first league start since August, at centre-half beside Stephen McManus.

The 23-year-old put three years of knee problems behind him as he eased himself back to top form and fitness at the start of the season, but an ankle knock sustained in the Champions League qualifier away to Spartak Moscow saw him lose his place to Caldwell. Frustrated though he was to fall back down the pecking order, Kennedy drew some comfort from the fact he was back to being a regular squad player and not the guy everyone felt sorry for. I know better than anybody that you can be up or down and Joe will be feeling bad just now. I had my place at the start of the season then got a wee injury and I've been fighting to get back in since, he said. Its tough for anyone who is out the side, not just me. I'm just back to being a player now and I shouldnt be thought of any differently because I was out for so long. Like anyone else, I can get a bit downhearted when Im not in the team but the rules are the same for everyone. You have to keep working hard and show youre ready if needed.

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Irony Is Not Lost On Kennedy As an Injury Paves Thewayfor His Return to Starting Xi

The call came for Kennedy in midweek as Doumbe departed on a stretcher and he could certainly have asked for a gentler return. With K...

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