Ange Postecoglou has explained the process behind signing Ireland youth international Johnny Kenny, who arrived from Sligo Rovers.
Kenny became the second League of Ireland player to join the Hoops in 21-22. Liam Scales, formerly of Shamrock Rovers, came late in the summer. He’s impressed in a handful of appearances for the Bhoys.
Clearly, Celtic are scouting Ireland with a beady eye. Danny Mandroiu was linked earlier in the season, while Kenny arrived after – according to Postecoglou – “quite a while” of tracking and analysis.
Postecoglou said of the new Celtic signing [Celtic FC/YouTube, 05:52] “Johnny [Kenny] is one that we’ve been tracking for a while through our scouts over in Ireland.
“It was one that was put to us, put to me in the summer window. We’ve been tracking his progress. We like what we see in terms of his development so far. He’s already had a year of senior football and he has some really good attributes.
“We thought it was a good opportunity to bring him in in this window, with the League finishing over there. We took advantage of that, and after discussions with him, he was he was keen to come across.
“He’s one that our scouting department has been tracking for quite a while. But he’s only 18, and we’re trying to bring in players who we feel we need right now. But we’re also not discounting the fact that we need to look a bit further ahead. Once he settles, he’ll start training with us and then he’ll settle in. Hopefully he can look to make an impact over the next year or so.”
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is right to target Ireland for likes of Scales and Kenny; there’s talent there
Celtic are, of course, entirely right to scout the League of Ireland, and find gems like Johnny Kenny. Roughly speaking, the level of quality isn’t so far removed from the Scottish Premiership that Irish players can’t thrive here. Obviously, we’ve seen so many Irish players become absolute stars in the Hoops, or elsewhere in the Scottish top-flight.
But it makes sense because there’s that very obvious connection and pull that Celtic have in Ireland. For a lot of young Irish players, Celtic represents a dream. Fine, the Premier League outmatches us for audience, money and the rest, but in terms of sentiment? Celtic have pull, no question.
For Johnny Kenny specifically, he’ll be beaming tonight. Ange Postecoglou sounds extremely encouraged by what he’s done in his career thus far. Bear in mind, he’s only had one season of professional football, and became a star in Ireland.
So, the potential is exciting. Make no mistake there.
We’ve talked about Celtic exploring markets all over the place. Clearly, Japan is the main one. But the Hoops have also made signings from Russia, Israel, Poland and Portugal. The net has been cast, and it’s wide.
Sometimes though, looking at undervalued markets closer to pays off. Irish football is that kind of market. As Scales and Kenny progress, perhaps we’ll look back on this time as a shrewd and calculated set of moves from Celtic.
Read more: Ange Postecoglou explains Celtic are working on more loan deals
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