JOHAN MJALLBY has applauded Celtic's decision to give John Kennedy a new three-year deal at Parkhead.

Kennedy's outstanding career was brought to a halt by a horror knee injury sustained playing for Scotland against Romania in April, 2004.

But, after a series of operations, the 23-year-old made his first team return three years later against Kilmarnock on April 22 - the day the Celts clinched their second successive SPL title.

And Mjallby, whose own career was ended by a recurring knee problem at Levante, said: "I know Celtic have been very supportive of John on his way back to fitness and have stuck by him through every setback.

"When I saw he made his return on the day Celtic won the title, I thought that was a fitting way for John to put all the pain of the injury behind him.

"But now he's been handed a new three-year deal that has rubber stamped his comeback.

"He'll now be looking forward to getting a successful pre-season and making a real challenge for a first team place next season."

Mjallby added: "Knee injuries are very frustrating and for John to get his when he was 20 and had so much before him was a disaster.

"But, although John has been out for close to three years, he is still a kid and his best years are firmly in front of him.

"So I don't think the new deal will have been based on sentiment."