Celtic’s ‘natural finisher’ Johnny Kenny can grab bull by the horns

The Celtic Star

·6 February 2025

Celtic’s ‘natural finisher’ Johnny Kenny can grab bull by the horns

Johnny Kenny has been earmarked by Brendan Rodgers as someone who can have an impact at Celtic Park with the right sort of development…

Johnny Kenny of Celtic. Celtic v Dundee, Celtic Park, 05 February 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

The former Shamrock Rovers man was the subject of interest once again in the transfer window last month as his old employer enquired about his availability along with St Mirren.

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Celtic rejected approaches for Kenny

Celtic rejected those advances outright though as Rodgers feels he can work with Kenny to smooth his rough edges and possibly get him ready for the regular demands of playing for Celtic. When Johnny first came to the Bhoys his fellow Irishman admitted he needed that spell away at the time on a loan deal to get him consistent minutes and experience of men’s football.

The boss also revealed that he has definitely improved his physicality whilst he has been away from his parent club and that that will only stand him in good stead as he continues his development under the ex-Liverpool manager.

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Johnny Kenny battles for possession during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

When asked about Kenny this week, Rodgers said: “Johnny Kenny will be here and we can see even in the three weeks or so he’s been training with us and the coaches who’ve been here before, they see the real difference in him from his experience going back, playing with Shamrock, playing with Europe.

‘He’s a natural finisher in the box’

“Brilliant finisher, physically in a good place, so I’m now putting my time into him and working with him and seeing how he develops now because he’s a natural finisher in the box, there’s absolutely no doubt about that. So, yeah, that’s what we’ll look to do.”

The 21-year-old got some minutes last night when he replaced his compatriot Adam Idah later on in the match. Kenny looked bright and sharp throughout and hit the side-netting of Trevor Carson’s goal on one occasion. There was a moment in the dying embers of the match when Celtic had broken away with Luke McCowan and Kenny was desperate for him to square it to him and get a shot at goal. However, McCowan tried to go it alone and fumbled the ball, much to his teammate’s visible frustration.

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Johnny Kenny of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Celtic Park, 05 February 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Scope for Kenny to grab the bull by the horns

With Rodgers making it clear that there is potential there to develop and him being down a striker now that Kyogo has left without being adequately replaced, there is definitely scope for Kenny to grab the bull by the horns and force his way into the Celtic striking equation – if he starts to score goals. With us coasting 13 points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, there would be no better time to help a young and aspiring talent to find his feet.

It will be interesting to see how Johnny gets on. Saturday’s game against Raith Rovers looks like being his big chance the get his first Celtic goal.

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Paul Gillespie

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