Video: Celtic prospect scores another Friday night cracker out on loan; outstanding finish

By John McGinley

April 28, 2023

Young Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has his scoring boots on this weekend, netting another Friday night cracker out on loan at Shamrock Rovers.

We brought you news of his effort away to St Patrick’s Athletic last week and he’s at it again, this time delighting his own home supporters with a lovely finish against Sligo Rovers.

The 19-year-old latched on to a long ball forward, skipped away from his marker and expertly fired into the top corner after bursting clear through on goal. You can watch the goal via this link or embedded below.

Celtic youngster Johnny Kenny finding form in Ireland

It’s Kenny’s fifth goal of the Irish season since joining Rovers in January and his second in two starts after again being trusted to lead the line in Stephen Bradley’s eleven tonight. The goal has put Shamrock Rovers 1-0 up at the time of publishing, with both teams back in the dressing room at half-time.

You’ll note the 19-year-old didn’t celebrate his goal. That’s because Sligo are his beloved boyhood club and the first team where he made his mark as a senior player. Having helped him progress and nurtured his development, it’s understandable why he wouldn’t want to celebrate against him. But that connection hasn’t stopped him from doing his job very well indeed.

Kenny was signed by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022 and immediately started training with the first team alongside making Celtic B appearances. However, early injury issues halted his initial progress and he moved out on loan to Queen’s Park in the first half of this season.

By his own admission that didn’t work out the way he wanted, so another move was found for him and he now appears to be thriving back in his homeland. It’d be fantastic to see him build on his early form with consistent goalscoring. Given he is capable of finishes such as the one tonight, that’s not unrealistic.

If the Republic of Ireland U21 international can do that, he’ll be returning to Celtic this Autumn full of confidence and ready to make a new charge on a permanent spot in the first-team squad. His contract at the Bhoys doesn’t expire until 2026.

In other news, BBC confirm upcoming broadcast boost for Celtic fans after ticket lockout.