Johnny Kenny may have fluffed his lines with an early missed chance against Newcastle United, but the Irishman made no mistake later in the game, capping off a lively performance with a well-taken goal in Celtic’s impressive 4-0 victory over the Premier League side.
Sporting de Lisboa v Celtic FC – Pre-Season Friendly Johnny Kenny of Celtic FC runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal Photo DAX Images
And while others may have taken a backward step in the increasingly crowded striker stakes at Parkhead, Kenny is certainly staking his claim with performances full of intent and full of belief.
“I want to go out every day in front of the manager and make a claim for the position,” Kenny said after the game, as reported by Daily Record.
Kenny has had a quietly impressive pre-season. While Callum Osmand, has seen his minutes evaporate — not featuring at all against the Magpies — Kenny has seized the opportunity. He’s scored, pressed aggressively and impressively – and shown an improving understanding of what Brendan Rodgers wants from a Celtic forward.
Johnny Kenny of Celtic Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 16 Jul 2025 Estadio Algarve Portugal Photo Carlos Rodrigues Shutterstock
It is clear this is a striker who sees himself staying at Celtic. The Irishman’s words show a player not content with a fringe role.
“There’s going to be a lot of rotation, but I want to be in there chipping in with goals for this amazing club,” he added.
There’s no lack of competition, of course. Adam Idah, a fellow Irishman and £9 million signing, looms large in this equation. Kenny speaks warmly of Idah — “us Irish look after each other” — but the underlying tone is arguably one of rivalry rather than deference. Kenny wants minutes. Whether those come at Celtic Park is the question.
With Daizen Maeda expected to shift wide, until January at least, due to Jota’s long-term absence, and the lack of natural wingers in the squad, the striker pool looks less crowded on the surface.
4th July 2025; The City Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland; Pre Season Football Friendly, Queens Park versus Celtic; Johnny Kenny of Celtic celebrates with his team mates after he scores in the 20th minute to make it 1-0. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
But that’s deceptive. Shin Yamada’s arrival — he was paraded pre-kickoff at the weekend — and rumours of further forward reinforcements suggest the path to regular starts could soon be cluttered again.
Rodgers is a manager who values intensity, work ethic, and the willingness to learn — traits Kenny appears to embody.
“The manager has been brilliant with me,” said the former Sligo Rovers man, “giving me the opportunity to play against big opposition. I just want to take it and learn every day.”
4th July 2025; The City Stadium, Glasgow, Pre Season Friendly, Queens Park versus Celtic;
Johnny Kenny of Celtic warms up. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
The learning is evidently happening — but is that enough? Kenny is a player who seems to have everything bar that elite-level technical polish. Can he develop it at Celtic by training daily with the best? Or is a season-long loan to a club like Falkirk, where he’d play regularly in a system not dissimilar to Rodgers’, the more sensible move?
If he signs a new contract, a loan wouldn’t signal failure — it would show Celtic’s belief in his long-term potential. But Kenny might argue he’s ready now. A goal against Newcastle, missed chance accepted, shows a striker willing to shoulder responsibility and fight for his place.
Ultimately, Celtic’s next moves in the transfer market will dictate Kenny’s immediate future. But he’s not waiting for the opportunity to be handed to him. He’s going out and trying to take it. And fair play to him for that.
Niall J
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I’m one of the fans that really wants big Idah to do well. I think he’s a great guy and would love to see him step up this year not just with goals but with the other parts of the game too…
….Like Johnny Kenny’s hold up and lay off in the build up to Yang’s goal. That was a touch like Kyogo used to have when he linked up play; soft feet and a nimble pass. Exactly what big Adam has been missing at times.
If JK can use those attributes, add some finishes and keep his running going, he’ll get chances to play.
Healthy competition indeed.
Kenny currently is holding a position as one of our homegrown quota requirements for European football.
So if he doesn’t gain a position within our 25man squad this season, then chances are he could find his time at the club become limited?
His current contract situation could well be the defining factor, and think it is worth ourselves to offer Kenny a new contract imo?
Falkirk play a system not dissimilar in style to Rodgers.
That will last all of 3 to 4 weeks max.
I have a friend h ere in Dublin who supports Celtic be also goes to see Shamrock Rovers regularly. He has coached Juniors. We asked his opinion on Johnny Kenny. He reckoned he doesn’t have enough to make it at Celtic but desperately hopes to be proved wrong.