Bhoy’s a keeper – Celtic captain talks up Johnny Kenny’s potential

Callum McGregor believes Celtic must extract every bit of potential from Irish forward Johnny Kenny…

Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Scottish champions reportedly turned down a £500,000 offer for the striker from English League One side Bolton Wanderers this summer with outlets suggesting Celtic are seeking a £1 million fee.

After joining Celtic in 2022 and spending time on loan at Queen’s Park and Shamrock Rovers, Kenny started earning minutes for Brendan Rodgers’ side towards the end of last season.

The 22-year-old found the net during his first start for Celtic against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in May, but his plans for the upcoming season are still uncertain.

Speaking to Irish website Balls.ie, McGregor was full of praise for his teammate: “He’s been excellent and is someone who has grown over a period of time as well.”

“He first came in off a really good reputation in the League of Ireland, where he had scored a lot of goals at a really young age, and everyone could see the potential.”

“Since he has come back he has matured into a very good young footballer and someone who works ever so hard every day, he’s had a few chances since he’s come back in so the signs are very, very good for him.”

“We have a talent there that we want to push and to try and get the absolute maximum out of. He has been first class since he came back in.”

Ahead of Celtic’s pre-season trip to Cork next Tuesday, McGregor was also complimentary of Kenny’s compatriot Adam Idah who is aiming for another 20+ season of goals.

McGregor said: “He’s still a young player who is developing and learning all the time but he made an impact even from when he came on loan for the last six months of the season before, scored some big goals, helped us onto the way to the title that year and the double.”

“Then it was his first full season last year, got good goal return as well and he will get better, will improve with more games, more experience. But he is someone I have been hugely impressed with and actually has the world at his feet with the ability and talent that he has got.”

Conor Spence

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