Johnny Kenny has been rewarded for his goalscoring exploits at Celtic after breaking into the starting XI under interim manager Martin O’Neill…
The Celtic striker has received a call-up for the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Portugal and Hungary.
Johnny Kenny opens the scoring for Celtic. Great work by Hatate to chase down a ball and put it back in the danger area for Kenny to side foot home. pic.twitter.com/UlCmmyKKvQ
— GrandOLTeam (@JBLuvsCeltic) November 10, 2025
The Celtic striker has netted four goals in four games since Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney stepped into the job following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers and his assistant manager John Kennedy. Kenny’s opportunity came due to injuries at Celtic and the same thing may well apply at international level as the 22 year-old former Shamrock Rovers striker awaits his first senior cap for his country.
☘️ Liam Scales | Co.Wicklow
☘️ Pat Bonner | Co.Donegal
☘️ Johnny Kenny | Co.Sligo— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) November 10, 2025
Roma striker Evan Ferguson, apparently a Celtic target in the January 2025 transfer window, is missing out on this camp due to injury and that could open the door for Johnny Kenny who is clearly the Ireland striker in the best goalscoring form at the moment.
Kenny has represented the Republic of Ireland eight times at U21s and was called up to the senior squad in September but was not selected to play. That though could be about to change for the Celtic striker who committed his long term future to Celtic, signing a four year contract earlier this year, amid interest from England.
Kenny may have competition for a starting slot from the former Celtic striker Adam Idah who left the club for Swansea in the closing days of the summer transfer window, for a fee of around £7m. Idah scored 20 goals for Celtic last season, including three in the Champions League and he also forced the own goal against Young Boys that saw Celtic qualifying out of the group stages of European club football’s premier competition.
The season before, while on loan from Norwich City, Idah scored crucial goals in a tight title race to help Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership trophy then was the Hampden hero, coming off the bench to score a 90th minute winner agains theRangers in the 2024 Scottish Cup Final.
Squad Update | @CelticFC striker Johnny Kenny & @HibernianFC midfielder Jamie McGrath called into the squad for the Portugal & Hungary fixtures 🇮🇪
Evan Ferguson has been ruled out of the Portugal match but will continue his rehab at Roma in the hope of being fit for the Hungary… pic.twitter.com/88VVpGxjxJ
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 10, 2025
Congratulations to Johnny Kenny who has been called up to the Ireland NT for their upcoming fixtures 👏🏼🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/mZAGdDvGye
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) November 10, 2025
Johnny Kenny has 4 goals in his last 4 matches for Celtic and now called up to the Ireland squad
Ireland senior debut 🔜🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/mu4I2bRN94
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) November 10, 2025
Your Ireland squad for the final two FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers 🙌
New York City FC’s Kevin O’Toole recieves a first Ireland call-up with Mark Sykes & Andrew Moran both returning to the set up 🤝
Thu 13 Nov | 🇮🇪🇵🇹
Sun 16 Nov | 🇭🇺🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/3XxYzA5aaF— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 6, 2025
