Johnny Kenny expressed that he will always be thankful to Brendan Rodgers, following the Irishman’s recent shock departure as Celtic manager…
The 22-year-old forward made aj influential start to Martin O’Neill’s spell as interim boss, netting twice in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory at home to Falkirk.
Chosen to spearhead the attack over the returning Daizen Maeda and summer arrival Callum Osmand, Kenny took a moment to honour the recently departed Rodgers, whose sudden exit on Monday evening everybody.
“Tuesday was obviously a hectic day,” he said after the 4-0 win at Celtic Park over Falkirk on Wednesday night. “It was disappointing, as since I’ve been here, it’s always been Brendan.”
“It was tough. It’s the first time I’ve lost a manager in my career, so it was strange around the training ground. We knew we had to come together and get a good result. Brendan changed my life and my career. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
Kenny added: “Everyone was disappointed, and the atmosphere was strange on Tuesday, but we knew it was all about going on to Wednesday. He (Rodgers) is gone now, and we need to battle on.”
“At Celtic, there is always pressure, no matter who the manager is or what the style of play might be. We just need to answer that pressure, put in big performances and get results. The manager just said to go out and be free, but that we needed to win. It was as simple as that. Thankfully, we did that.”
The former Republic of Ireland U21 forward wasn’t even old enough to remember O’Neill’s arrival at Celtic in 2000 and was only two when the legendary Hoops interim boss left in 2005.
“I knew he was very successful here, but that’s about it,” Kenny continued. “I would have been very young when he was in charge of the club before.”
“He obviously managed Ireland to some big moments, so while I don’t know a lot about him, I know a fair bit. He’s so well respected, and it’s fully deserved. He’s done so much for this football club, and hopefully he can bring that to us in the next few games for as long as he’s here.”
Here’s Johnny Kenny’s post-match media conference…
Conor Spence
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So sad tBrendan leaving the club, and as far as I am concerned it is all lain at the boards feet. It is time they got their heads out of their rectums. and faced reality. Nicholson walkers about lick a little boy lost, and after I have upheld Lawwell for his astuteness in the money market he has not stood up for the manager to get funds to strengthen the team,!, The board have caused all this upheaval and the big Irishman, came off the golf course to spout his mouth off. After the trophies Brendan won for us it will be very hard to get a decent manager to come to us now!,The treatment by mouth to Brendan was shocking . Come on Brendan let’s hear your side of the story!, Then yon stuff will hit the fan and watch the reaction!,o