Celtic blocked loan offers for Johnny Kenny as both Brendan Rodgers and Mikel Arteta were left frustrated at failing to sign a deadline day striker…
Johnny Kenny with Dane Murray at Fir Park on Sunday.Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
That left three clubs all disappointed in their search for the signature of a deadline day goalscorer and down south you can add Arsenal to that list.
Arsenal’s striker woes
Mikel Arteta, who frustrated Kieran Tierney by denying a loan move to Celtic in the January window ahead of his pre-contract move back to the Hoops in the summer, has been rueing his side’s failure to recruit a striker ahead of the transfer window.
So that’s the managers of title contenders in Scotland and England are both frustrated at the failure to bring in a striker in the January transfer window…
Brendon Rodgers celebrates as he walks past Mikel Arteta after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
St Mirren failed to sign Johnny Kenny
As reported in Scottish Sun, Scottish Premiership side St Mirren acquired the signature of the 21 year-old – in a loan move which would have saw Kenny move to Paisley for the remainder of the season.
Jonhny Kenny. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Shamrock Rovers wanted Kenny back on loan
Shamrock Rovers, whom Kenny spent the first half of the season at, were also hopeful of sealing a return for their Europa Conference League hero, but it was St Mirren who pushed for a deal up until the 11pm deadline on Monday night.
Despite FIFA ruling stating that players are only eligible to play matches for two clubs in a single season, Kenny would have been available to sign for St Mirren because the League of Ireland’s fixture schedule differs from the Scottish Premiership meaning Kenny would have been given FIFA dispensation to sign for the Buddies and play for three separate clubs within one campaign.
Celtic failed to replace Kyogo with a new signing
However, with Celtic failing to sign a striker to replace Kyogo on a short-term or permanent basis, the Hoops hierarchy blocked any negotiation in order to allow Kenny to exit the club.
Johnny Kenny doing his Celtic debut. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
The Irish striker made his long-awaited Celtic debut last month in Dingwall where Brendan Rodgers’ side ran out 4-1 winners against Ross County. Kenny played 25 minutes coming off the bench for Adam Idah. The 21 year-old was on hand to set up Luke McCowan for Celtic’s fourth in the Highlands.
Since then, Kenny has frequented the Celtic bench – and was an unused substitute in the Scottish champions’ 3-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.
Adam Idah. Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Cummings remains but has one eye on West Ham
Following Kyogo’s departure to Ligue 1 side Rennes, Adam Idah, Kenny and youngster Daniel Cummings are Celtic’s only recognised strikers – therefore, we could see more of the Irishman in the final few months of the season. Cummings has signed a pre-contract agreement with West Ham so will leave the club in the summer. He is extremely unlikely to get much game-time and certainly not ahead of Johnny Kenny.
Yesterday at his media conference Brendan Rodgers looked at the positives and talked about looking forward to working with Johnny Kenny over the remaining four months of the season.
Conor Spence
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Kenny won’t make it – he’s not Celtic class.