Matty Kennedy Explained

Matty Kennedy
Fullname:Matthew Kennedy[1]
Birth Date:1 November 1994[2]
Birth Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height:1.75m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Kilmarnock
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2009–2011
Youthclubs1:Kilmarnock
Years1:2011–2012
Clubs1:Kilmarnock
Caps1:14
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2015
Clubs2:Everton
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2014
Clubs3:Tranmere Rovers (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2014
Clubs4:Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Caps4:7
Goals4:1
Years5:2014–2015
Clubs5:Hibernian (loan)
Caps5:16
Goals5:1
Years6:2015–2018
Clubs6:Cardiff City
Caps6:18
Goals6:0
Years7:2016
Clubs7:Port Vale (loan)
Caps7:12
Goals7:0
Years8:2017
Clubs8:Plymouth Argyle (loan)
Caps8:17
Goals8:5
Years9:2017–2018
Clubs9:Portsmouth (loan)
Caps9:29
Goals9:3
Years10:2018–2020
Clubs10:St Johnstone
Caps10:54
Goals10:9
Years11:2020–2023
Clubs11:Aberdeen
Caps11:68
Goals11:3
Years12:2023–
Clubs12:Kilmarnock
Caps12:34
Goals12:3
Nationalyears1:2009
Nationalteam1:Scotland U15
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2009–2010
Nationalteam2:Scotland U16
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:3
Nationalyears3:2010–2012
Nationalteam3:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps3:15
Nationalgoals3:5
Nationalyears4:2012
Nationalteam4:Scotland U18
Nationalcaps4:2
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2012
Nationalteam5:Scotland U19
Nationalcaps5:10
Nationalgoals5:1
Nationalyears6:2012
Nationalteam6:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps6:1
Nationalgoals6:0
Nationalyears7:2020–
Nationalteam7:Northern Ireland
Nationalcaps7:5
Nationalgoals7:0
Club-Update:00:53, 14 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:08:05, 20 June 2024 (UTC)

Matthew Kennedy (born 1 November 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Kilmarnock. Having represented Scotland at the youth international level, he has represented Northern Ireland at the senior international level.

Kennedy began his career at Kilmarnock and represented Scotland at all youth international levels. He was sold to Everton in August 2012. He was loaned out to Tranmere Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons, and Hibernian, before being sold on to Cardiff City in February 2015. Initially a first-team regular at Cardiff, he was dropped in the 2015–16 season and joined Port Vale on loan in January 2016, and then Plymouth Argyle on loan in January 2017; he helped Plymouth to achieve promotion out of EFL League Two at the end of the season. He joined Portsmouth on loan for the 2017–18 season.

Kennedy returned to Scottish football in July 2018, signing with St Johnstone. He moved to Aberdeen in January 2020, where he would remain for two and a half seasons before rejoining Kilmarnock in June 2023.

Career

Kilmarnock

Kennedy had the opportunity to join the youth academies of Celtic and Rangers, but chose to join Kilmarnock as the club were closer to his home in South Ayrshire.[3] He felt Kilmarnock played a style of football that suited him.[4] On 19 November 2011, aged 17, Kennedy made his first-team debut as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road.[5] He started his first game for "Killie" in a 2–1 win over St Mirren at Rugby Park on 2 January 2012.[6] He ended the 2011–12 campaign with 11 Scottish Premier League appearances. He played three games at the start of the 2012–13 season before leaving the club; manager Kenny Shiels expressed his concern that Kennedy had left Kilmarnock too soon and he had missed out on seeing Kennedy's "proper development" at the club.[7]

Everton

On 31 August 2012, the final day of the summer transfer window, Kennedy signed for English Premier League side Everton for a "nominal fee".[8] The fee was later revealed to be £225,000.[9] In a later interview he stated that "I've got nothing but praise for their academy. I don't think you could have a better youth set up. My coaches were David Unsworth, Alan Stubbs and David Weir."[10]

On 9 January 2014, Kennedy signed on loan for League One side Tranmere Rovers.[11] Manager Ronnie Moore extended the loan spell for a further month after being impressed by his first six appearances at Prenton Park.[12] On 26 March 2014, Kennedy joined Milton Keynes Dons, also of League One, on a youth loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.[13] Manager Karl Robinson stated that Kennedy would bring "pace, trickery and excitement" to Stadium mk.[14] He scored his first goal in the English Football League for the "Dons" in a 2–2 draw at Rotherham United on 26 April.[15]

On 8 August 2014, Kennedy joined Scottish Championship side Hibernian on a six-month loan deal after being signed by his former Everton under-21 manager Alan Stubbs.[16] He initially found himself on the bench at Easter Road. However, Stubbs was keen to extend the loan deal until the end of the 2014–15 season.[17] On 29 October, he scored his second senior goal to help secure a 3–3 draw with Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, however, he missed his penalty in the resulting shoot-out.[18] He said that he was "devastated" by his miss, which eliminated "Hibs" from the competition.[19] He returned to Goodison Park on 5 January.[20]

Cardiff City

On 2 February 2015, Kennedy signed for Championship side Cardiff City on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[21] He made his full debut for the "Bluebirds" 15 days later in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Cardiff City Stadium, playing the full 90 minutes and producing a man of the match performance.[22] He settled in well at the club and was touted as one of manager Russell Slade's best signings for the club.[23] He made a total of 14 league appearances in the second half of the 2014–15 season.

Kennedy was described as a "forgotten man" after playing just one league game in the first half of the 2015–16 season.[24] On 25 January 2016, he joined League One side Port Vale on a one-month loan.[25] He said that he was attracted to the "Valiants" by manager Rob Page, who Cardiff coaches told him was the best man to bring out his best qualities.[26] He began his time at Vale Park in good form and was hopeful of extending his stay further than the initial month.[27] After late negotiations, Cardiff agreed to extend the loan until 26 April.[28] However, he returned to Cardiff on 7 April after being demoted from the first XI to a place on the bench.[29] Page said that "to go from under-21s football to playing week-in, week-out, two games a week at League One level caught up with him".[30]

On 31 January 2017, he joined EFL League Two club Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[31] Cardiff manager Neil Warnock predicted that Kennedy would "set the league alight" for the "Pilgrims", and his words were vindicated early on as Kennedy picked up two-man of the match awards as he scored in three consecutive games – including an "outstanding" goal in a victory over West Country derby rivals Exeter City at Home Park.[32] He went on to be nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for February.[33] He scored five goals in 17 games to help Argyle to win promotion as runners-up of League Two.[34]

On 31 August 2017, Kennedy joined Cardiff teammate Stuart O'Keefe on loan at League One side Portsmouth for the 2017–18 season.[35] He had impressed "Pompey" manager Kenny Jackett playing against the club in the EFL Cup earlier in the month.[36] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat at Northampton Town on 12 September.[37] After a good start to his time at Fratton Park he suffered a dip in form. He became a bit-part player, which assistant manager Joe Gallen blamed on Kennedy over-thinking his play.[38] At the end of the 2017–18 season, Cardiff released Kennedy upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June.[39]

St Johnstone

On 21 July 2018, Kennedy signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone.[40] Manager Tommy Wright said that it was a "real coup for us" to sign the winger.[41] On 3 April 2019, he scored in a 2–0 win over Tayside derby rivals Dundee at McDiarmid Park.[42] He ended the 2018–19 season with seven goals in 41 appearances as the "Saints" posted a seventh-place finish.

Aberdeen

Kennedy signed a pre-contract agreement with Aberdeen on 15 January 2020.[43] Nine days later he joined Aberdeen on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[44] The "Dons" were reported to have paid a transfer fee of £75,000 plus add-ons.[45] Manager Derek McInnes had been reported to have been tracking Kennedy for the previous nine years.[46] By the time the 2019–20 season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, Kennedy had six goals (all for St Johnstone) and eight assists and said he was starting to show his best form.[47] [48]

In August 2020, he was one of eight Aberdeen players who received a suspended three-match ban from the Scottish Football Association (SFA) after they breached coronavirus-related restrictions by visiting a bar earlier in the month.[49] He made a total of 35 appearances throughout the 2020–21 season, helping Aberdeen to post a fourth-place finish in the league. He scored just one goal, a consolation in a 2–1 defeat to Rangers at Pittodrie.[50]

In August 2021, he was linked with a loan move to St Mirren – manager Jim Goodwin was reported to be a keen admirer of his – after falling out of favour under new manager Stephen Glass.[51] A spinal problem (diagnosed as stress fractures) caused him to miss the first half of the 2021–22 season. He made his first appearance at the end of January 2022.[52] He made a further eight appearances before the season's end, though Goodwin – now manager of Aberdeen – did not want to rush him back too soon.[53]

He cited a hope to have a "fresh start" in summer 2022, and Goodwin stated that he could be a "big player" for the club.[54] [55] In January 2023, Kennedy said he had "a bit of unfinished business" with the club and aimed to earn a new contract.[56] The following month he backed interim manager Barry Robson to be given the job permanently.[57] Despite this, he barely featured under Robson in the second half of the 2022–23 campaign.[58]

Return to Kilmarnock

On 21 June 2023, Kennedy agreed a three-year contract with former club Kilmarnock.[59] On 10 December, he scored a late winner to inflict a first league defeat of the 2023–24 season on Celtic.[60] Speaking in February, manager Derek McInnes commented that "his performances have been really good of late".[61] His absence due to injury was cited by pundit Billy Dodds as the major factor in the club's quarter-final exit from the Scottish Cup.[62]

International career

Scotland youth

Kennedy has represented Scotland at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-19 level.[63] He was selected by under-21 interim coach Ricky Sbragia to play Portugal under-21 at Estádio do Bonfim, Setúbal on 14 November 2012; he came on for Callum Paterson 66 minutes into a 3–2 defeat, in what was his only under-21 cap.[64]

Northern Ireland

In September 2019, it was reported that Kennedy was due to switch his international allegiance to the country of his birth, Northern Ireland. He was pictured training with the senior Northern Ireland squad ahead of a friendly with Luxembourg.[65] He was called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad on 3 October.[66] He made his debut for Northern Ireland on 18 November 2020, in a 1–1 draw with Romania in the UEFA Nations League.[67] He was recalled to the squad in March 2022 and again twelve months later.[68] [69]

Style of play

Able to play on either wing, Kennedy was described by Tranmere Rovers manager Ronnie Moore as "quick, [he] likes to take on defenders and [is someone] will create chances for his team-mates".[70]

Career statistics

Club statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kilmarnock2011–12Scottish Premier League110000000110
2012–13Scottish Premier League3000000030
Total140000000140
Everton2012–13Premier League0000000000
2013–14Premier League0000000000
2014–15Premier League0000000000
Total0000000000
Tranmere Rovers (loan)2013–14League One8000000080
MK Dons (loan)2013–14League One7100000071
Hibernian (loan)2014–15Scottish Championship130102100161
Cardiff City2014–15Championship140000000140
2015–16Championship1010000020
2016–17Championship2000100030
2017–18Championship1000200030
Total180103000220
Port Vale (loan)2015–16League One120000000120
Plymouth Argyle (loan)2016–17League Two175000000175
Portsmouth (loan)2017–18League One293100030333
St Johnstone2018–19Scottish Premiership366203100417
2019–20Scottish Premiership183003200215
Total5492063006212
Aberdeen2019–20Scottish Premiership80410000121
2020–21Scottish Premiership311201010351
2021–22Scottish Premiership8010000090
2022–23Scottish Premiership212107200294
Total683817210846
Kilmarnock2023–24Scottish Premiership343206000423
2024–25Scottish Premiership0000000000
Total343206000423
Career total274241512464031731

International statistics

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Northern Ireland202010
202120
202320
Total50

Honours

Plymouth Argyle

Notes and References

  1. News: Barclays Premier League Squad Numbers 2013/14 . Premier League . 16 August 2013 . 17 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130925003258/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/aug/premier-league-squad-numbers-seasons-2013-14.html . 25 September 2013 .
  2. Web site: FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2015/2016 . footballsquads.co.uk . 1 February 2021.
  3. Web site: Kilmarnock's Kennedy eyes unlikely outing. The Scotsman. 15 March 2012. 28 October 2018.
  4. News: Phillips. Terry. Who is Cardiff City starlet Matthew Kennedy? The story of the boyhood Glasgow Rangers fan who signed from Everton. 26 January 2016. Wales Online. 20 February 2015.
  5. Web site: Hibernian 1 – 1 Kilmarnock . BBC . BBC Sport . 19 November 2011 . 19 November 2011.
  6. News: Kilmarnock 2 - 1 St Mirren. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 2 January 2012.
  7. News: Kilmarnock boss concern over Matthew Kennedy's Everton switch. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 3 September 2012.
  8. Web site: Everton: Matthew Kennedy secured from Kilmarnock . BBC Sport . 31 August 2012.
  9. News: Prentice. David. Everton FC: Teenage winger Matthew Kennedy says he's 'living the dream' after signing for Blues. 26 January 2016. Liverpool Echo. 4 September 2012.
  10. News: McKay . Gabriel . Matty Kennedy reflects on Everton apprenticeship after Aberdeen move . 5 April 2020 . dailyrecord . 9 March 2020.
  11. Web site: Everton Winger Joins Tranmere . Tranmere Rovers FC . 9 January 2014.
  12. Web site: Tranmere Extend Kennedy Loan . Tranmere Rovers FC . 10 February 2014.
  13. Web site: Dons swoop for Everton starlet . Milton Keynes Dons FC . 26 March 2014.
  14. News: Everton's Matthew Kennedy joins MK Dons on loan. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 26 March 2014.
  15. News: Rotherham 2 - 2 MK Dons. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 26 April 2014.
  16. News: Winger Matthew Kennedy pens Hibernian loan deal. 26 January 2016. The Scotsman. 8 August 2014.
  17. News: Hibs look to extend winger Matthew Kennedy's loan stay at Easter Road beyond January . 26 January 2016. Daily Record. 4 November 2014.
  18. News: Hibernian 3 - 3 Dundee Utd. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 29 October 2014.
  19. News: Forbes. Craig. Matthew Kennedy wants to payback fans for pen miss . 26 January 2016. The Scotsman. 15 November 2014.
  20. Web site: Hibs' on-loan winger Matthew Kennedy returns to Everton . BBC Sport . BBC . 5 January 2015 . 5 January 2015.
  21. Web site: Scottish U21 international links up permanently from Everton . Cardiff City FC . 2 February 2015 . 3 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200555/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/deadline-day-deal-kennedy-signs-2244873.aspx . 23 September 2015 . dead .
  22. Web site: Phillips. Tom. Snapshot. cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 26 January 2016.
  23. News: Tucker. Steve. Cardiff City signings rated: How have Russell Slade's super seven performed since their January arrivals?. 26 January 2016. Wales Online. 23 March 2015.
  24. News: Phillips. Terry. Cardiff City's forgotten man Matthew Kennedy given chance to stake his claim for first team spot. 26 January 2016. Wales Online. 7 September 2015.
  25. News: Port Vale sign striker Robinson and Cardiff loan winger Kennedy. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 25 January 2016.
  26. News: Baggaley. Mike. Matty Kennedy says Cardiff City recommended Vale and boss Rob Page. 26 January 2016. The Sentinel. 25 January 2016.
  27. News: Port Vale: Cardiff City winger Matthew Kennedy eyeing loan extension. 16 February 2016. BBC Sport. 16 February 2016.
  28. News: Baggaley. Mike. Valiants clinch new deal for Cardiff winger Matty Kennedy. 27 February 2016. The Sentinel. 26 February 2016.
  29. News: Smith. Pete. Matty Kennedy recalled by Cardiff City. 7 April 2016. The Sentinel. 7 April 2016.
  30. News: Southcombe. Matthew. Cardiff City winger Matthew Kennedy returns early from Port Vale loan spell as first team opportunities dry up. 7 April 2016. Wales Online. 7 April 2016.
  31. News: Matty Kennedy leaves Cardiff City for Plymouth Argyle loan. 1 February 2017. Sky Sports. 31 January 2017.
  32. News: Booth. Dominic. Matty Kennedy is sparkling for Plymouth as Warnock proves prophetic. 3 April 2017. Wales Online. 19 February 2017.
  33. News: Errington. Chris. Argyle's Matt Kennedy up for League Two Player of the Month prize. 13 May 2017. Plymouth Herald. 7 March 2017. en.
  34. News: Errington. Chris. Derek Adams aiming to make more history at promoted Argyle. 13 May 2017. Plymouth Herald. 12 May 2017. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170514024752/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/derek-adams-aiming-to-make-more-history-at-promoted-plymouth-argyle/story-30329125-detail/story.html#. 14 May 2017. dead.
  35. Web site: Cardiff sign Craig Bryson and Liam Feeney on loan . BBC Sport . 31 August 2017. 1 September 2017.
  36. News: Booth. Dominic. Cardiff City winger Matty Kennedy joins Portsmouth on loan. 1 September 2017. walesonline. 31 August 2017.
  37. Web site: Northampton 3-1 Portsmouth. BBC. 12 September 2017 . 13 September 2017.
  38. News: Rooney. Will. Pompey winger told to get back to basics. 12 May 2018. Portsmouth News. 3 March 2018. en.
  39. Web site: Cardiff City retained list: Who is staying and leaving . Booth . Dominic . Wales Online . 14 May 2018 . 1 July 2018 .
  40. Web site: Winger Kennedy joins on two-year-deal. St Johnstone F.C.. 21 July 2018. 21 July 2018.
  41. Web site: St Johnstone: Signing former Cardiff winger Matty Kennedy 'a coup' - Tommy Wright . 22 July 2018 . BBC Sport . 21 July 2018.
  42. Web site: Watt . Martin . St Johnstone 2-0 Dundee: Callum Hendry & Matty Kennedy settle derby . 20 May 2019 . BBC Sport . 3 April 2019.
  43. Web site: Matty Kennedy: St Johnstone midfielder signs Aberdeen pre-contract . BBC Sport . 15 January 2020 . 15 January 2020.
  44. Web site: Matty Kennedy: St Johnstone winger joins Aberdeen after clubs agree early switch . Tyrone . Smith . BBC Sport . 24 January 2020 . 24 January 2020.
  45. News: Wallace . Sean . Matty Kennedy 'can handle pressure' of helping to end Aberdeen's goal drought . 29 January 2020 . Evening Express . 28 January 2020.
  46. News: Davie . Scott . Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes waited nine years to land Matty Kennedy . 27 May 2022 . The Scotsman . 16 January 2020 . en.
  47. News: Owen . Danny . 6 goals, 8 assists; In-form attacker thanks Everton for unearthing his potential . 5 April 2020 . HITC . 10 March 2020 . en.
  48. News: Panton . Malcolm . Matty Kennedy Feature . 5 April 2020 . Aberdeen FC . 9 March 2020.
  49. Web site: Celtic's Boli Bolingoli gets three-game ban; 'Aberdeen eight' receive three-match suspended ban. 28 August 2020. BBC.
  50. News: Southwick . Andrew . Morelos earns Rangers win at Aberdeen . 20 May 2021 . BBC Sport . 10 January 2021.
  51. News: Ramage . Ben . St Mirren linked with loan move for Aberdeen winger Matty Kennedy . 27 May 2022 . Daily Record . 10 August 2021 . en.
  52. Web site: Alan Pattullo . Matty Kennedy opens up on his Aberdeen injury hell . 27 February 2022. BBC Sport . 9 February 2022.
  53. News: Wallace . Sean . Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin confident fans will see the best of Matty Kennedy - but will not rush him back from injury . 27 May 2022 . Press and Journal . 17 April 2022.
  54. News: Crighton . Chris . Aberdeen fan view: Matty Kennedy embracing a fresh start under Jim Goodwin . 12 May 2023 . Press and Journal.
  55. News: Wallace . Sean . Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin backs fit-again winger Matty Kennedy to be a 'big player' this season . 12 May 2023 . Press and Journal.
  56. News: Third . Paul . Matty Kennedy aiming to earn new deal with Aberdeen . 12 May 2023 . Press and Journal . 5 January 2023.
  57. News: McConnell . Alison . Matty Kennedy backs Barry Robson to take Aberdeen reins full-time . 12 May 2023 . The Times . 18 February 2023 . en.
  58. News: Durham . Thomas . Dons winger Matty Kennedy appears to hint at Pittodrie departure . 31 May 2023 . aberdeenlive . 25 May 2023 . en.
  59. News: Kennedy return completes trio of Killie arrivals . 6 July 2023 . BBC Sport . 21 June 2023.
  60. News: Lindsay . Clive . Kilmarnock comeback ends Celtic's unbeaten start . 10 December 2023 . BBC Sport . 10 December 2023.
  61. News: McInnes impressed with Kennedy form but still looking for more . 14 May 2024 . STV News . 25 February 2024.
  62. News: Kilmarnock: How big a loss was Matty Kennedy? . 14 May 2024 . BBC Sport . 10 March 2024.
  63. Web site: Matthew Kennedy SFA Profile . Scottish Football Association . 19 November 2011.
  64. Web site: International Challenge Match. scottishfa.co.uk. 26 January 2016.
  65. News: Hanna . Gareth . Who is Matty Kennedy? All you need to know about Scotland U21 international switching to Northern Ireland . 6 September 2019 . Belfast Telegraph . 5 September 2019.
  66. News: Euro 2020 qualifiers: Jamal Lewis named in NI squad as Matthew Kennedy gets first call-up . 3 October 2019 . BBC Sport . 3 October 2019.
  67. News: Sterling . Mark . Winless Northern Ireland held by Romania . 18 November 2020 . BBC Sport . 18 November 2020.
  68. News: Durent . Jamie . Aberdeen winger Matty Kennedy earns recall to Northern Ireland squad . 27 May 2022 . Press and Journal . 14 March 2022.
  69. News: Britton . Ruaraidh . Aberdeen's Matty Kennedy called up by Northern Ireland for Euro 2024 qualifiers . 12 May 2023 . aberdeenlive . 7 March 2023 . en.
  70. News: Transfer window: Everton winger Matthew Kennedy joins Tranmere. 26 January 2016. BBC Sport. 9 January 2014.