After weeks of negotiations and rumours, Derek McInnes has finally brought Matty Kennedy onto his Aberdeen ship.
Signing a three-and-a-half-year deal prior to the 0-0 draw with St Mirren, the winger was instantly used. He started the draw in Paisley.
Kennedy has arrived in Aberdeen. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Fast, creative and some end product on the side too, Kennedy is perhaps the added attacking spark the Dons need. He’s got five goals and five assists this season for Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone.
Aberdeen are his 11th club. McInnes has offered a long-term platform that the winger has never had before and it’ll be interesting to see how much he flourishes with it.
McInnes is a big fan, highlighted by the fact he’s paid £70,000 now to get him instead of waiting to get him for free in the summer. With that comes expectation but the Dons boss is expecting Kennedy to hit the ground running.
McInnes backs him. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
“I have gone on about the fact we need a bit more speed and confidence and creativity,” said McInnes. “Matty is a confident boy. He faces people up. So when we win possession and go that way he continues to go that way rather than come out. He is a boy who is very positive.
“He has not had any games since we came back from the winter break. He did not play at St Johnstone. So I am sure he will feel better for having the 90 minutes today. He is a boy who I think will do well for us.
“He was down in England drifting about, has come back and had a couple of good seasons at St Johnstone. His career path is a bit similar to Jonny Hayes. He has come to us at the same age and I am hoping that he can go and kick on.
Rates him highly. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
“Matty will do well for us. It was not the perfect start for him but he showed enough at times. At least he has a confidence and positivity to go and try and make the difference. It did not happen today but I am sure there will be plenty of games in the future where he will be key for us.”
Kennedy and the traits he’ll bring to Aberdeen
It’s not just fans, pundits and club alike who are all hoping and expecting Kennedy to succeed in the Granite City. The winger himself demands only the best from himself every time he’s on the pitch.
Contractual negotiations has meant he’s no played much since December. This is despite the fact the wideman was eager to play and show the loyalty Wright had earned from him in Perth.
Wanted to fight. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
It’s behind him now though and he can look forward to life as a Don. Stability will bring confidence for him and Kennedy believes he’s more than capable of delivering in red.
“I only trained once with the boys and the gaffer threw me straight in,” said Kennedy. “Personally, I was delighted to get the nod from the gaffer to start today and to get 90 minutes under my belt.
“I have only been here for so many hours, I have trained once with the boys. It is difficult when you don’t know them that well. I hadn’t played since the last game before the winter break and it is good to get my fitness up.
Hadn’t featured much after December. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“I’m sure that I will get better the fitter that I get. I want to get on the ball, I don’t shy away. I want to prove to people that I’m a good player and I want to create chances, score goals.
“I don’t mind a wee bit of pressure. I’ll try my best every game and the pressure won’t faze me.”