Johnny Kenny was handed an opportunity for Celtic as he made his debut vs Ross County on Saturday.
The Irishman flourished on loan at Shamrock Rovers last season and netted 20 goals including in the Conference League.
Brendan Rodgers likes to have three striker options and both Kyogo and Adam Idah were paired together up front from the start as the Hoops swept County aside in a 4-1 win in Dingwall.
After Kenny replaced Idah he had a chance to score himself only for the pitch to see the ball bobble and his weak shot fall into goalkeeper Jordan Amissah’s grateful arms.
Overall Kenny found himself in decent positions inside the box and he linked up fairly well.
And when captain Callum McGregor was asked about the hitman’s first appearance for the first-team, he was honest in his assessment as he believes the 21-year-old showed up well for Rodgers.
- READ MORE: Johnny Kenny issues a six-word reaction after making Celtic debut during win v Ross County
Johnny Kenny’s Celtic debut impressed Callum McGregor
“He’s done well since he’s been out on loan,” the skipper said.
“His loan’s finished. He’s back with us now and he’s looked good in the last couple of days training with the squad.
“It’s always the ultimate reward to get on the pitch and be a part of it. He came into the game at a sort of sticky time, but he showed good quality and nice link-up play and he’s in the box.
“He’s in the right areas, probably unlucky not to get a goal himself.
“For young players, it’s always great to see them coming through the academy because it shows there is a pathway there for you.
“Then, when you get on, you have to take your chance and continue to work hard.
“I think he knows that anyway, but the group is really strong, so we’ll keep him in the right direction as well.”
McGregor says no better mentors for Kenny than Idah and Kyogo
Asked about the likes of Kyogo and Idah mentoring Kenny, McGregor added: “Exactly.
“I think we’ve got top professionals and top players in pretty much every department.
“So when you come into this changing room, you see the level and the expectation and the way the boys look after themselves.
“For any young player, we had a few other kids on the bench as well, that’s the level you have to be at and we’ll keep driving them there and training and keep trying to help them develop as much as they can.
“Then when they get the opportunity, it’s almost down to them to try and take it, but we’ll help them as much as we can as well.”
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