WHAT NEXT FOR JOHNNY KENNY, CELTIC’S FORGOTTEN STRIKER?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 24 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Sometimes, to succeed at Celtic, it isn't enough to just be a good footballer.
To truly become a regular starter in the green and white hoops, you also need a certain degree of luck, and perhaps an injury or two to those above you in the pecking order, to clear your pathway to the first team.
Johnny Kenny just hasn't had those breaks as of yet. In all fairness, he has done nothing wrong in the limited game time he’s had with Celtic. He looks fast, aggressive and with a keen eye for goal.
However, Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah, and perhaps even Callum Osmand now stand above him in line to start up front for Celtic. Speculation also remains rife that Celtic will bring in another striker this summer.
On initial examination, it seems it’s a case of “game over” for Johnny Kenny at Celtic. However, Brendan Rodgers doesn't seem to see it that way.
Rodgers’ Comments Offer Johnny Kenny Celtic Future Hope
Someone who is clearly a big fan of Johnny Kenny, regardless of his current status in Celtic’s first team is our manager, Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking after Kenny bagged the decisive goal in our 1-0 win over Queens Park on Friday night, Rodgers had this to say for the young Irishman:
“We obviously want him to be a Celtic player,” was the Manager's emphatic response to questions around a recently rejected bid by Bolton Wanderers for the player.
Rodgers was realistic about the chances of Kenny making a breakthrough into the first team this coming season though.
He added: “I’ve spoken to a few clubs that want to take him on loan. I just want to have a look in pre-season and see where we’re at in terms of his development.
Rodgers continued: “He’s a goalscorer, there’s no doubt about that. It’s about what’s best for him and for Celtic.
Whether that’s to stay here or to go out somewhere and get some game time, but we’ll assess that over the next few weeks.”
Kenny already enjoyed a highly successful loan spell with Shamrock Rovers last season, where he scored a number of goals, playing a pivotal role in their exceeding expectations in last season’s UEFA Conference League.
Rodgers comments would, on the face of it, seem to directly contradict reports in the mainstream press last week, that Celtic would let the striker go permanently if Bolton increased their £500,000 offer up to £1 million.
Clearly, Brendan Rodgers still sees hopes of a long-term future for the Irishman at Celtic.
The Johnny Kenny Celtic story may not be over just yet.