Celtic opened up an 18-point lead at the top of the Premiership table on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers guided Celtic to a win over Ross County and there were many reasons to smile post-match.
One of them was Johnny Kenny making his Celtic debut after he came on in the 73rd minute for Adam Idah with the score at 1-1.
It wasn’t long after that the champions showcased their attacking might, including Kenny assisting Luke McCowan’s goal from the bench.
That was before Kyogo Furuashi’s header put the champions back into the lead and Arne Engels also scored his retaken penalty.
Kenny looked assured and at home in the green and white colours, with the player responding on social media to his debut.
Johnny Kenny will forever remember his Celtic debut
Kenny’s loan at Shamrock Rovers would have done him the world of good, but this is where he can stake a claim to be part of Rodgers’ squad long-term.
The Celtic boss, with Idah and Kyogo to choose from, is looking and searching for that third striker and he might already have his answer.
Kenny now needs to prove himself further as the 21-year-old was delighted post-match at earning his first minutes with the Hoops.
“A day I will never forget,” wrote Kenny on Twitter.
Rodgers’ interesting tactical move v Ross County
For Kenny to earn more minutes, he needs to push ahead of two experienced performers in Kyogo and Idah.
Rodgers has shut down talk of Kyogo leaving this month, but the Japan star was played out wide in Dingwall, rather than through the middle, with Idah up top.
Yes, injuries out wide are a reason behind that, but if Rodgers goes down that route again, then it increases Kenny’s chances of getting onto the pitch.
Plus, Kyogo himself knows and understands that he must ‘improve’ his game, as he told Sky Sports.
“I am happy to help the team, but I had a lot of shots,” said Kyogo. “So I have to improve.”
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