Here’s Johnny!…
As Lubo 98 reported last night, Celtic have completed the signing from Sligo Rovers of 18-year-old Johnny Kenny on a 5-year deal.
🆕✍️ #CelticFC is delighted to announce that 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒚 will be joining Celtic from @sligorovers on a 5-year contract subject to usual conditions and international clearance.🍀🇮🇪#WelcomeJohnny pic.twitter.com/wwZQXL2W6m
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 8, 2022
The player himself has also taken to twitter to claim he’s “Delighted to join a massive club like this,” before thanking his former club and with special mentions for the Academy managers who helped him along the way –
“After six years at the club I have grown up loving, it has come to an end. This has been such a tough decision and message to write because I love playing for my hometown club and I love being at home.
“But I think now is the time to test myself at another level. I want to say thanks to every academy manager at the club who has helped me. You’ve been amazing.”
Thank you ❤️@sligorovers pic.twitter.com/tV69Q8Nyjk
— johnny (@johnny_kenny2) January 8, 2022
And going by some of the comments from those he’s leaving behind it’s clear Celtic are getting something special in the 18-year-old striker.
‘Every success at Celtic and beyond, Johnny and thank you for lifting us out of our seats in The Showgrounds. Looking forward to seeing you in The Aviva’ – JohnMcDwyer
‘Best wishes Johnny. You were a delight to watch at the Showgrounds, creating so many special memories for us all to savour. Now it’s time to pursue new dreams and I know you will make us all very proud as we follow your career with club and country. Congrats’ – Leo Gray
‘Best of luck Johnny, was blessed my 1st game post covid was seeing your hatrick against Bohs,keep working hard and backing yourself,we know your destined to shine on the biggest stages. Wish we had another season but hey,a Rovers legend at 18 is something 2 b proud of’ – Donal Kelly
‘Become part of history and the proud Sligo-Celtic connection’ – Donegal Boy
‘Got a superb goalscorer’s touch and poacher’s instinct. Good enough to score goals against SPL oppo. Needs to bulk up a bit, but I’d rather see him do that playing against competitive English Championship or even League 1 sides than Celtic B diddy opponents’ – Eoghan Sweeney
Wishing @johnny_kenny2 all the very best of luck on his big move to @CelticFC 🇮🇪⚽️🔥
I wrote about the Ireland under-19 striker in my "20 names to watch in 2022" list: https://t.co/xL6sVmxaze #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/YaCFeQFPSH
— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) January 8, 2022
Eoghan Sweeney’s comments in particular are worth paying attention to. It only takes a glance at the Ireland Under-19 international in action to see there is something special for Celtic with this lad, and that glance would further indicate young Kenny is already some way advanced of the Lowland League level our B Team operate at.
Yet with the likes of new signings Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis currently blocking the first team pathway, it seems Celtic may face a predicament as to just what would aid Johnny Kenny’s development – time spent on the training ground, a Lowland League end to the current season or, as with Liam Shaw’s loan move to Motherwell, a short-term switch to another Premier League club may well be worth considering. After all this was a player Hibs were looking to shell out a transfer fee for and it’s not too often Scottish Premiership sides do that.
When no fans could attend, we had one on the pitch scoring his first senior goal and when you were all here he signed off in style.
🎵 JK is the best on earth 🎵 was being heard in the stands by then.
Many memories. Good luck to Johnny at @CelticFC.https://t.co/m80xWIYgHA pic.twitter.com/rYQry03tLw
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) January 8, 2022
It’s too early to tell just what Celtic’s plans are for Johnny Kenny now he has signed on at Paradise. Perhaps sending him straight out the door again on loan may be to his benefit, however there is merit to an end of season run in the Lowland League under Tommy McIntyre to get him up to speed on the demands made by Ange Postecoglou, as McIntyre’s team are expected to train and play with the same intensity and system as the first team to ensure players are ready when the opportunity knocks.
And if Johnny Kenny is looking for evidence of a clear pathway from the B Team to the first team, he just has to look at Dane Murray, Owen Moffat and Joey Dawson for evidence chances can arise. If opportunity knocks, you do you get the impression Johnny Kenny has the natural striker’s ability to grasp that chance and the confidence to back himself.
There are goals in Johnny Kenny that’s for sure. I’ve got a good feeling about this one!
Niall J
