LIFE-LONG Derry City fan Mikhail Kennedy has admitted playing for his home town club was too good to turn down.
The talented Northern Ireland U21 striker has joined the Candystripes on loan until June from League One side Charlton Athletic and says he can’t wait to get started in the season opener at Bohemians on Friday night.
Kennedy, who netted twice in the Addicks’ 5-2 win over Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup last week has been in outstanding goalscoring form having netted seven in his last three games for the Charlton U23s.
“I’ve no excuses,” said Kennedy. “It’s not like I’m not fit or just getting match fitness as I’ve been playing all season. I’ve been playing every week.
“Hopefully I can stay away from injuries and get amongst the goals again.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity for me. I could have stayed and played U23 football and maybe waited for an injury at Charlton. But when I spoke to the manager (Karl Robinson) about it, he said, ‘listen this is the opportunity you need’.
“He said he would prefer I came here and played for a team which would be playing Europa League this year and challenge for the league. So it’s a real opportunity.”
The former St Columb’s College student believes knowing quite a few City players will help him settle in quickly.
“One of the main reasons which persuaded me to come here, and I had other offers from clubs in Ireland, was that I’m coming into a settled squad with lads that I know and played with before,” he added.
“You look at [Ronan] Curtis, Conor [McDermott], Aaron [McEneff] and all the young lads, they wouldn’t look out of place in any English team.
“There’s a real team spirit here and watching them last year I could see that. So my mind was made up once I heard Derry were in for me.”
The striker, who turned down a chance to play in Germany, knows the pressure will be on not just from the terraces, but from his family, who are dyed in the wool City fans.
“A lot of people will say, ‘he’s come back to Derry, he’s homesick and it’s a step backwards’.”
“There’s a lot of benefits but there’s a lot of pressures as well. I’ve supported Derry my whole life and, in a way, it’s a dream come true to play for them.
“But with that comes a lot of pressure because I have a lot of family and friends who are massive Derry fans.
“I could have gone down south and I wouldn’t have had that pressure. But I will enjoy it and thrive on it. That’s what I want to do I want to make them proud as well. So it’s a big opportunity.”
