John Kennedy, born on 18 August 1983, is a former Celtic defender whose playing career was cruelly cut short by injury, but who went on to become a highly respected coach at the club.
Standing at 6ft 2in (1.88m) and weighing 13st 7lb (86kg), Kennedy was an imposing central defender with a reputation for his reading of the game and aerial ability. Football was in his blood – he is the grandson of Jimmy Delaney, who famously played for both Celtic and Manchester United.
Kennedy came through Celtic’s youth system in the late 1990s, signing his first professional contract on the same day as fellow defender Stephen McManus. He made his first-team debut at just 16 years old during the 1999-2000 season. In the years that followed, first-team opportunities were limited, but by the 2003-04 season Kennedy had established himself in the Celtic defence, making 12 league appearances and even scoring his only goal for the club, against Dundee. His performances drew the attention of major European sides, including AC Milan, who made enquiries about his availability.
In March 2004, Kennedy’s career looked to be on the verge of blossoming when he earned his first Scotland cap against Romania. However, his debut ended in devastating fashion. Just minutes into the match, he suffered a serious knee injury from a reckless challenge – an injury that ultimately derailed his playing career. Despite years of rehabilitation and several attempted comebacks, including a loan spell at Norwich City in 2008 where he played 16 times and scored twice, Kennedy was never able to fully recover. He retired from professional football in 2009, aged just 26.
Although his playing days ended prematurely, Kennedy’s contribution to Celtic was only just beginning. He moved quickly into coaching, taking on roles at youth and development level before rising through the ranks to join the first-team staff. Over the years he was a constant presence on the coaching bench, working under a succession of managers and helping guide the club through one of its most successful eras, including multiple league titles, trebles, and European campaigns.
In October 2025, Kennedy left Celtic, having won 22 trophies in 27 years at the club. While injury robbed John Kennedy of the playing career his talent deserved, his enduring commitment to Celtic ensured his place in the history books as one of the club’s most trusted and influential figures.
