You Kenn bounce back - Ball
Rangers defender Michael Ball has reassured cross-city rival John Kennedy he has every chance of making a speedy recovery from knee surgery.
The Celtic youngster was due to go under the knife in America today, with surgeon Dr Richard Steadman the medic in charge of rebuilding his shattered cruciate ligament.
Ball has already made a recovery from a similar operation performed by the same surgeon.
And he insisted: “Obviously you don’t want to be in the situation I was in but when you’re there, you know you’re in safe hands.
“He’s the best man in the world to be doing it. He’ll be back on the pitch soon.”
Kennedy was hurt on international duty with Scotland last month when his senior debut was ruined by a reckless challenge by Romania’s Vio Ganea.
Ball added: “It’s a long way and you wonder if it’s worth travelling so far, because you could just go to London to see a specialist.
“But when you get there he takes a lot of time with you and he’s very laid back. He’s very, very experienced.
“When I was there, there were 12 people going to get operations that day, but he took his time and explained what he was going to do.
“You know straight away that you’re in safe hands and he’s going to do a good job for you.”
Kennedy would have to give something in return however, Ball revealed.
He said: “His office is full of jerseys and I sent him mine after my second game for Rangers.
“He has treated all sorts of people from chess players and skiers as well as footballers.
“The jerseys of Jamie Redknapp, Ronaldo, Del Piero are all up there in the rehab area. There’s also Greg Norman and a lot of skiers.
“There’s good messages from the skiers like: ‘thanks for making me number one in the world again’.”
Ball revealed he had initially been sceptical that such a major operation was needed.
He said: “I didn’t really think I needed the operation. Some people recommend exercises and different techniques.
“But after the operation he told me with all the damage in there I had been very close to not playing football again.
“He said one game would have really damaged it. That’s when I realised how serious it was.
“Dr Steadman deals with all the top stars and he’s obviously a very expensive surgeon to go to.
“Rangers didn’t take any chances and sent me to the best in the world, which I’m very grateful for.
“It’s gone now and he’s done a good job. I just want to get back to what I do.”
