Celtic stepped up their pre-season preparations with an excellent showing against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking before the game, Eddie Howe had praised Celtic’s supporters, with the Newcastle manager expecting a tough contest in Glasgow.
Indeed, that is exactly what he got, as goals from Arne Engles, Johnny Kenny, Yang Hyun-Jun, and Liam Scales saw Brendan Rodgers’ side run out as comfortable 4-0 winners.
After starting as the team’s lone striker, it was Kenny who was the focus of much of the attention from Celtic fans on social media during the game, with division existing among the opinions of those who were posting.
Celtic fans are undecided on whether Johnny Kenny is good enough to earn consistent minutes this season
Following Celtic’s impressive win against Sporting CP, in which Kenny came off the bench to play a part in both goals, the Irishman earned his chance from the beginning against Newcastle at Celtic Park.
He repaid his manager’s faith, scoring the second goal in the game after a Nick Pope howler.
However, he also missed a gilt-edged chance at 0-0, failing to capitalise with the ‘goal gaping’, as described by the Athletic’s Newcastle United correspondent, Chris Waugh.
It was this inconsistency in front of goal that led to divisions among Celtic fans on social media.
Responding to his miss, one fan wrote: ‘All those [that] thought Kenny was the future because he won a penalty [against Sporting]. He’s now making [Adam] Idah look world class.’
Another called for Celtic to bring in more attacking reinforcements, stating: ‘Buy a new striker immediately!’
Other fans were far more positive, however.
For instance, one supporter wrote: ‘Really enjoyable first half. Delighted for Kenny to get his goal. Really want him to succeed at Celtic, and I’m convinced he can.’
Another compared him to Adam Idah, stating: ‘Better than Idah, don’t let him leave.’
This trend of comparing Kenny to Idah continued, with another fan writing after Kenny scored: ‘Hope that means he stays and Idah goes.’
Finally, another Hoops supporter indicated that they had been impressed with the 22-year-old over the last few games, writing that Kenny ‘has earned his chance so far in pre-season.’
Brendan Rodgers has a decision to make as Celtic’s pursuit of a striker gathers pace
The division over Kenny, particularly as it relates to Idah, is likely to be felt by the Celtic manager and staff as well.
This is because the Bhoys are in the market for a new striker this summer.
After completing a deal for Japanese forward Shin Yamada, attention will now turn to an out-and-out number nine.
In recent days, following news that Giuseppe Ambrosino was left out of Napoli’s pre-season trip, links have gathered pace between Celtic and the Italian.
CFR Cluj striker Louis Munteanu has also spoken about his future after his side rejected a £6.9m bid from the Parkhead club.
Whether it’s Ambrosino, Munteanu, or someone else, it is clear that Celtic will be bringing in a striker this summer.
That will leave Kenny and Idah to battle it out as the side’s second centre forward, with neither wanting to fall further down the pecking order.
Thus, one of the two may be moved on, with that decision ultimately being at the discretion of Rodgers.
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