A report from the Liverpool Echo has shed some light on Jonjoe Kenny’s long-term future as a Celtic stay looks less and less likely.
Kenny signed for the Hoops when Neil Lennon was the manager back in January. He managed to secure a mightily impressive five wins in his first five matches. He’s also played 90 minutes in all seven games he’s been available for. Yet, despite that, there are still question marks over whether he truly has the quality to play for Celtic long-term.
But regardless of what happens with Celtic, his Everton future looks bleak. Already behind the likes of Seamus Coleman and Mason Holgate, the Echo claims he’s expected to leave Merseyside this summer.
They report that Burnley couldn’t afford the £10m needed to sign him this season. However, given he’ll head into the final 12 months of his contract, it’s expected the Toffees will lower their valuation.
The Times reported last month that Celtic would struggle to also get beyond the wage barrier with Kenny. But there are now major question marks over whether he has the genuine quality to stay here.
All logic points to Celtic man Jonjoe Kenny’s future being away from Parkhead
Kenny has put in some decent shifts since arriving from the English Premier League club. He looked extremely impressive in his debut at Kilmarnock. He also looked a touch more promising against Aberdeen on Saturday. However, does he offer enough for how Celtic like to play?
He’s proven himself to be extremely limited going forward. He only has one direct goal contribution in his seven games so far. Not shocking for an out-and-out right-back, but poor for an attack-minded one. And that’s what Celtic are all about, domestically at least. Full-backs getting beyond the wide man.
Any new manager will have his own blueprint come the summer. And that could suit Kenny’s more defensive mindset for all we know. But you would imagine any permanent boss would have his own plans in mind for recruitment. It would be extremely surprising if Kenny was part of that.
For the truth is he simply hasn’t shown enough to warrant that honour. He’s doing a fine job keeping us ticking over until the end of the campaign. That’s all well and good, but we need better both offensively and defensively if we’re to challenge Rangers next season.
The valuation of the player also appears uncomfortable too. If Everton do lessen his value, it won’t be by a massive amount. It’s not as if Celtic can pluck Kenny for £2m as a nice back-up option. It would be surprising if the Toffees even slash his valuation by half.
All signs point to Kenny heading back to Everton this summer. But he could be set for a swift departure from there too. It would take a brave supporter to bet on that arrival destination being Glasgow once again.
In other news, a Burnley reporter has provided an interesting insight into a reported Celtic target’s time down in England.
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