It may have been an absolute stroll in the park for Celtic today, but both Johnny Kenny and Mikey Johnston certainly needed this kind of confidence boost.
The Hoops kicked off their pre-season schedule this evening with a big 7-0 win over Wiener Viktoria. The Austrian third division club failed to lay a glove on Ange Postecoglou’s men, who will face sterner competition when they travel to Rapid Vienna on Saturday.
It became evident early on just how big a difference there was between the sides in terms of class. That’s despite the fact Celtic largely had a second-string featuring.
It’s difficult to big up performances too much against a side of such minimal quality. However, both Kenny and Johnston will come away from tonight’s match feeling that bit better about themselves.
Kenny was given the opening 45 minutes and managed to notch himself 2 goals. The first coming after good movement to the back post from the young Irishman. His second strike, however, was even better as he produced an instinctive left-foot finish that nestled in the corner.
The former Sligo Rovers man was extremely lively throughout the first half too, combining well with his team-mates and always looking to cause bother with his movement.
Johnny Kenny and Mikey Johnston receive timely boost
Today was also the perfect kind of fixture for the luckless Johnston who was again set back thanks to injuries last term.
Many supporters still debate whether Mikey has what it takes to succeed here. He certainly has a habit of starting pre-season well before drifting off, but he can take a bit more confidence in knowing that he was a cut above many on the pitch this afternoon.
A constant live wire, Mikey got the ball rolling with a fine assist for Kenny’s opener before netting himself. He was direct, a constant threat, and looked like producing every time he was on the ball before coming off on 67 minutes.
Ange Postecoglou is clearly open to seeing what both men have got. Otherwise they wouldn’t even be in Austria to begin with. He’s already made it clear what he thinks of Kenny in the past too.
Today isn’t the kind of performance to brag about. Far from it. The games will get tougher and Saturday will be a sterner test of this Celtic’s side’s fitness levels. But for Johnston and Kenny – it’s exactly what they needed.
So credit where it’s due for both men. Hopefully they can keep impressing in the coming games.
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