Brendan Rodgers says Celtic coaching staff see ‘real difference’ in Bhoys star who will now play more

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The January transfer window was an interesting one for Celtic.

On the face of it, Brendan Rodgers might not express his frustration or even anger, but you won’t blame him if he feels that way on the inside.

That’s because Celtic didn’t acquire the players needed, even though Rodgers was clear that a striker was needed after Kyogo Furuhashi’s exit.

The powers that be knew months in advance that Kyogo wanted to go, but no replacement was brought in, despite links with several players.

That now puts pressure on Adam Idah to lead the line because he is the only senior out-and-out striker at the club.

The likes of Daizen Maeda might play down the middle when needed and maybe even the returning Jota, but there is also rising star, Johnny Kenny.

Brendan Rodgers hails Johnny Kenny’s improvement after Celtic return

Kenny was on-loan at Shamrock Rovers, where he netted a high volume of goals and also competed in Europe.

The 21-year-old returned last month, made his debut against Ross County and now Rodgers has hinted at more game time for the player.

Of course, the inability to bring in a striker has played a part in that, as Rodgers explained that the Celtic coaching staff have seen a ‘real difference’ in Kenny’s game following his return, as he told Celtic TV.

“Johnny Kenny will now be here,” said Rodgers. “Johnny, I can see even with the three or so weeks he has been training with us and the guys who (coach him), John (Kennedy) and the other coaches who have been here before.

“They see the real difference in him. From his experience going back to playing with Shamrock and playing in Europe.

“Brilliant finisher. He looks physically in a good place, so I am now going to put my time into him and working with him. See how he develops now because he is a natural finisher in the box, there is no doubt about that. That’s what we look to do.”

A blessing in disguise for Kenny

Look at the positives, Kenny can come out of this season as an important player for Celtic and it will bode well for the future.

On the domestic stage, it’s wrapped up barring a collapse of the highest order, so in that sense, it takes the pressure off a player like Kenny.

But he is too good to go back out on loan again and now needs that run in Celtic’s first-team to showcase if he is ready to take the next step in his career.