Video: Celtic prospect nets 'great goal' out on loan

By John McGinley

April 24, 2023

Young Celtic striker Johnny Kenny was back on the goal trail over the weekend, netting another crucial effort for loan club Shamrock Rovers in league action.

Kenny showed sharp movement and a lethal finishing instinct to open the scoring in a 2-0 win away to St Patrick’s Athletic, firing in from the edge of the box to delight his travelling support.

The prospect, who signed for the Bhoys from Sligo Rovers in January 2022, has now scored four goals in 14 matches for his loan club. The 19-year-old is aiming for a regular starting berth and did his chances no harm at all with his Friday night strike, having been named in the eleven. You can see a video of his goal embedded below or via this link.

Johnny Kenny is impressing in Ireland

After a difficult start to the season, Rovers are now unbeaten in their last six fixtures and have moved up to the third position in the Premier Division. The move is a good one for Kenny to test himself in a team where there is pressure to win regularly and play under a manager who rates him.

Kenny admitted himself his previous loan at Queen’s Park didn’t quite work out, but this switch back to Ireland has been a much better fit for him.

Rovers manager Stephen Bradley made it clear Kenny will be a big part of his plans this season just a few weeks ago in the wake of another club for the club, stating: “I’ve loved him, I’ve loved his attitude and what he’s brought to the group. He’s hungry to score goals.

“In this team we create so many opportunities and the one thing is he puts himself into positions to miss and if you have that as a centre-forward you’ll always score. People sometimes miss and then don’t want to go into that same area because they’re afraid they’ll miss and Johnny hasn’t got that.”

Kenny now has an emotional match against his boyhood club Sligo Rovers on the immediate horizon. They visit Tallaght Stadium this Friday night. While he likely won’t enjoy facing them, it’d be great to see him continue his progress and net his fifth of the season.

In other news, Report: Celtic fans to be left waiting by SPFL on final fixtures and title party details.