KAI KENNEDY joined York City last week following his release from Rangers- but he was once of interest to some of the world's biggest clubs. 

The 21-year-old was released by Scottish giants Rangers after making just one senior appearance, but was once touted by the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Roma before finding himself making the move to the Vanarama National League. 

Kennedy has opened up on his struggles as once being described as a 'wonder kid', and how the pressures of being a footballer saw the winger 'lose his way' in the Rangers academy.

Kennedy might only be 21, but he's already had five loan spells in his career, four of which were in the Scottish Championship, before producing a fantastic spell with Scottish League One outfit Falkirk last season, netting nine goals in 29 appearances.

The young winger is now keen to get his career back on track, after becoming distracted by the bids of European giants, and hopes York can be a fresh start after making his City debut in the Bank Holiday Monday defeat to Rochdale.

"Coming through at Rangers I was the wonder kid, I was flying. I was training with the first team every day." Kennedy told the Daily Record.

“But when contract talks stalled, everything went up in the air. I was back down to the academy and sent on loan.

“That’s not as easy as people think. It’s a completely different environment to what you’re used to at Rangers.

“I had a lot of pressure on me and I’ll happily admit now I lost my way a bit. I wasn’t mature enough, I was acting like a wee boy.

“Maybe I just wasn’t grown up enough at that stage. I did things like going out too often, which I shouldn’t have done.

“But it’s growing up, isn’t it? It’s about learning. Now I’m at an age when I’ve matured.

“At 18 I was still living with my family and I made mistakes like every teenager. But I’ve changed and I know where I want to get to. I believe I can get there.

“Everyone spoke about me a lot at 17, 18 – and I lost it. I wouldn’t say it went to my head or that I thought I’d made it. I knew I had miles to go.

“But when there was stuff going on between Rangers and my agent around a contract, it affected me. I lost it for a bit. I was confused and all over the place. I was doing well under Steven Gerrard.

“But before I knew it, I was in Inverness. And it feels like I’ve never found my way back. For a young boy, that’s difficult to deal with.

“But I’m now at the age where I know there’s only one place I want to get to – the top.

“It was the last day of the transfer window and during Covid times. Because I was the last player signed, they put me in a house myself – not sharing with any other boys.

“I couldn’t even go to any of their houses. Basically I was training at 10am, doing gym work or staying on the pitch for as long as I could – then going home on my own.

“I couldn’t do anything except sit there playing on my computer. That was my life for six months and I won’t lie, it was solid. I probably lost my way a bit during that spell too.

“For a player like me, the (Scottish) Championship is a tough league. I need a lot of the ball in a team that’s going to play a certain way.

“Going to Arbroath away with Inverness, for example, was just horrible. It would be a hard game for any player like me, with the skill set I have. I’m not tall, I’m tricky and need to see the ball.

“But it was all a learning experience. And you know what? I’m glad I’ve done it all. Because I’ve played over 100 games in my career already.

“Maybe that wouldn’t have happened at Rangers. I see boys my age who haven’t played anywhere near 100 games as a professional.

“I know what it’s like to be in a men’s changing room and how to deal with it. That’s what matured me.

“This is where I’ve really learned. At 17 when I was reading about all these big clubs who were supposedly in for me, I’d think: ‘Wow.’

“I love Rangers but every kid’s dream is to go to one of the big clubs in England or abroad. So when I was reading that big bids were being made, I was hoping one would come off.

“But they didn’t materialise. And as a young boy, that’s hard to deal with.

“So I’ve learned nothing is concrete until it’s concrete. I won’t believe anything until I see it in front of me.

“I’ve seen it with other young players. They’ll hear stuff and get so high – just like I did hoping it would happen – then when it doesn’t it deflates you.

“It knocks you. If I could advise any boy now I’d say keep working hard until you get a written offer.

“Because I’ve heard it all before and nothing ever came of it. Last year at Falkirk, all I did was focus, focus, focus. And it was the best season I’ve had. I was flying again.

“I’m still a kid, people probably forget that I’m only 21. The difference is I’m properly working hard now. And I can’t wait to get going again.”