Celtic's Kennedy sidelined - but it's nothing to do with his old injury

The defender was stretchered off during the first half of Wednesday night's 2-1 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk and immediately taken to Glasgow's Royal Infirmary. He was then transferred to the city's Ross Hall hospital, where he underwent an MRI scan on his left knee yesterday.

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The results showed a lesser injury than first feared and Celtic hope that diagnosis will be confirmed by a further examination this morning.

The club, however, have further concerns over Artur Boruc and Lee Naylor. The Polish goalkeeper is suffering increasing knee pain and may have to undergo surgery sooner rather than later.

Naylor was also injured in the Shakhtar match and had an MRI scan on his calf last night.

Kennedy has been foremost in boss Gordon Strachan's thoughts, however, with Celtic releasing an update on the 24-year-old's condition.

"John Kennedy underwent an MRI scan on his left knee," read the statement.

"Initial results show that John has sustained damage to his lateral meniscus and the posterior lateral complex of the knee, which could mean the injury isn't as severe as first thought.

"An arthroscopic investigation will be carried out on John's knee on Friday morning and will confirm the extent of the damage. If the initial diagnosis is confirmed, John could possibly return to action within 12 weeks."

Kennedy suffered horrific damage to the ligaments in his left knee after a vicious tackle from Romania's Ioan Ganea in 2004. A tortuous process of rehabilitation was completed when he made a first-team comeback as Celtic clinched the SPL title against Kilmarnock in April.

He has made 14 appearances this season.

"This new injury is not connected to the previous injury and it could as easily have happened to his right leg," said a source close to Kennedy.

"It's wrong to say that his knee crumpled - it was a twist that happened. There's some relief for John in the results so far."

Steven Pressley replaced Kennedy against Shakhtar - his first appearance of the season after recovering from back surgery - and the 34-year-old looks certain to play a key role in coming months.

Pressley is likely to be part of the starting line-up when Celtic face his former club Hearts at Tynecastle tomorrow lunchtime.

Boruc is also hoping to be ready for that important SPL meeting, despite concerns over his fitness.

The 27-year-old was forced to make clearances with his left foot against Shakhtar to protect his troublesome right knee and will discuss what happens next with Strachan and his medical staff.

"Everything is sore," said Boruc. "I need surgery on my knee. I was going to wait until the end of the season, but now I don't think I am going to wait that long. But hopefully I will be fit for Hearts and for the match in Milan."