Bhoys buoyed by Kennedy news - Beattie
Celtic striker Craig Beattie insists the team have been buoyed by the positive news on defender John Kennedy.
The Scotland international, who was battling back from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury, broke down in training last week prompting fears over his future.
But surgeon Dr Richard Steadman is confident the 22-year-old will make a full recovery after a fourth operation on the injury.
Now the Hoops’ forward believes the raised spirits created by the good news will help the team ahead of the Bank of Scotland Premier League trip to Kilmarnock.
Beattie said: “Everybody at the club was gutted for John.
“Last week, when he broke down in training, the whole place was like a morgue.
“We were all devastated because he’s worked so hard over the last 18 months.”
Beattie is now backing his team-mate to bounce back.
He added: “All the young guys are close and we were with him the whole way along his recovery – especially Shaun Maloney as he went through he same knee operation.
“Working in the gym with John, I saw how strong he was mentally and it was like nothing had happened to him.
“It was just as if he was out there playing football and going to the gym to do a little bit extra.
“He was so mentally strong and that’s a credit to himself.
“To be fair to John, he was that strong he didn’t make it difficult to talk about it.
“He didn’t sit about sulking, he just got on with it.”
Beattie, 21, admits his friend’s problems have given him a different perspective on the game, but he is relishing the opportunity to play alongside him again for Celtic.
He added: “It puts things in perspective and makes you appreciate what you’ve got.
“There’s a saying that there is always somebody worse off than yourself.
“Everybody is just dying to see him get fit and back out there again.”
Beattie is expecting a tough test at Rugby Park on Sunday but is convinced Celtic can keep the pressure on leaders Hearts at the top of the table.
He said: “Rugby Park is a tricky place to go to at the best of times and it will be tough for us.
“The have some good young players like Colin Nish and Kris Boyd, who have been doing well but we will go there with the mentality of beating them.”
But Celtic boss Gordon Strachan joked that the desire to claim three points at Killie was interfering with his family viewing habits.
He said: “I have been studying videos for the last couple of nights and days just to get a feeling of what is coming up. Just ask the wife.
“I expect a high energy, organisation and enthusiasm. We need to be ready for that and be ready for a high tempo.”
