Celtic defender Kennedy forced to retire

Celtic defender John Kennedy retired from football on medical advice on Friday after losing his battle with a recurring knee injury.

Kennedy has struggled with knee problems since his Scotland debut against Romania in March 2004, when he suffered a serious ligament injury, following a challenge by Romanian striker Ionel Ganea, which kept him out for three years.

Several comeback attempts since then have failed and the 26-year-old, who made 45 appearances for Celtic after emerging from their youth academy, said: “It is with great regret that I have made this decision. However, given the medical advice which I received, this is the right decision.”

Hoops boss Tony Mowbray added: “It really is tragic that John’s career has been cut so short in this manner.”