Celtic defender John Kennedy looks set to become Glenn Roeder's eighth summer addition to an ever-expanding squad after it was reported that he will join the Canaries on a six-month loan.
He had been expected to sign a short-term agreement with Motherwell after joining them for pre-season training but after 'Well admitted the terms of the loan were too steep, it was down to City and Preston to battle it out for his signature.
And according to widespread reports today, it seems that the former Scotland international has decided to resurrect his career in Norfolk after suffering two serious knee injuries in the recent years.
“I'm looking forward to the challenge of being at Norwich and lining up with a couple of familiar faces in David Marshall and Mark Fotheringham,” Kennedy was quoted as saying this weekend.
“I would like to thank Motherwell and Preston and their managers, Mark McGhee and Alan Irvine, who have shown interest in me.”
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has also endorsed his move south and he will be hoping a fully-fit Kennedy ? with some vital first-team minutes under his belt ? will be ready to fight for a place in the SPL champions' defence come the start of 2009.
“John could play six months solid football and, if he can get that, then it's a huge bonus for us and would be great for John,” said Strachan.
However, the deal appears to have left a sour taste in the mouth of Fir Park boss McGhee and he has blasted his board for not pushing the boat out to capture the 24-year-old Celtic youth product.
“The deal appears to be dead in the water,” the former Leicester and Wolves chief told the Daily Record yesterday.
“Our board refused to meet Celtic's demands and Peter Lawwell refused to budge. It's hugely frustrating because I want to improve and take this team forward and that's going to be difficult without pulling a few rabbits out of the hat.
“I'm as disappointed as I was excited when I thought John would be joining us a few weeks ago.
“The problem is our board were not prepared to pay what Celtic were asking, so there you go. Plus, Celtic were immovable in their demands.
“The thing is there were other clubs involved who were prepared to pay what Celtic want. I spoke to John on Thursday and, again, he was desperate to come here.”
However, it now appears that East Anglia will be his home for the next six months and all of a sudden, Roeder's defensive line-up seems to be complete.
The Canary chief now has two players for each position and Kennedy will join fellow new-boy Dejan Stefanovic, Gary Doherty and Jason Shackell in fighting for a first-team spot.
And with Jon Otsemobor, Elliot Omozusi, Ryan Bertrand and Adam Drury giving the City staff selection headaches of the right kind for the full-back gigs, Roeder's best-laid plans are starting to bear fruit.
Kennedy came through the Celtic Park Academy and signed professional terms on the same day as fellow defender Stephen McManus.
He made his first-team debut during the 1999/00 season but he really made his mark some four years later.
Kennedy's first taste of international football came in March 2004 but his big night came to a premature end after suffering serious knee ligament damage against Romania.
The SFA agreed to compensate Celtic due to the defender's long absence from the Bhoys' side but in late 2006, Kennedy resumed training and he was named as a substitute for Celtic's Champions League match against A.C. Milan on 20 February 2007.
He began his comeback against Kilmarnock in April, helping Celtic clinch the title again. The Bellshill-born player played the full 90 minutes and four days later, on April 26, he signed a new three-year contract with the Glasgow giants.
However, his injury curse struck again later that year in a Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk in November and he was stretchered off after twisting his knee following an aerial challenge.
The initial diagnosis was a three-month absence and damage to his lateral meniscus and the posterior lateral complex of the same knee he'd previously injured.
But he has failed to make an appearance in the famous green and white hoops since and Roeder and Co will be hoping he can successfully complete his rehabilitation at Carrow Road.
Tom Haylett
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