Johnny Kenny’s development away from Celtic Park is exactly what the club would have hoped for when sanctioning his loan move in January.
The young Irish striker is clearly enjoying his football at Bolton Wanderers, playing with a smile on his face, and proving he can be a highly effective attacking outlet in a competitive environment.
On Saturday afternoon, hours before Celtic beat Motherwell in the Premiership, Kenny was coming off the bench to help Bolton secure a comeback 2-2 draw at Rotherham in League One.
Manager Steven Schumacher highlighted Kenny’s positive trajectory, specifically noting his lively impact and his impressive overall form.
“I thought all the subs who came onto the pitch, they made a good impact for us, and we were better in the second half,” Schumacher told Wanderers TV.
“We played some good stuff. Created some good chances. Their keeper made some good saves.
“He (Kenny) was good. He has been playing well. He was a little bit unlucky. But I felt playing with a number ten in there was the right way to try and get an overload in midfield. We felt we would have the ball, which we did. 65% possession, or whatever we had.”
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Does Johnny Kenny have a long-term future at Celtic?
Celtic loanee Johnny Kenny supplies two assists as Bolton draw 2-2 at Rotherham
For Celtic, seeing Kenny adapt to different tactical setups – like operating in a possession-heavy system with a number ten playing just behind him – is incredibly encouraging.
Earning the explicit trust of his manager shows he is maturing on the pitch. If the young forward keeps putting in these dynamic, impactful shifts and enjoying his football, he will return to Lennoxtown a much more complete and confident player.
Last week, Bolton were losing 2-0 with less than ten minutes left on the clock, Kenny was taken off, and his team would secure a dramatic three points.
This time around, Kenny was brought on at half-time with his promotion-chasing side losing, and it was his two assists that earned Bolton a point.
- Minutes played: 45
- Assists: 2
- Total shots: 2
- Key Passes: 4
- Accurate crosses: 1
- Accurate passes in the opposition half: 3 out of 4
- Touches: 17
- Successful dribbles: 1
- Total carrying distance: 110.3m
- Carries: 8
- Defensive contributions: 2
- Tackles won: 1
- Clearances: 1
- Recoveries: 1
- Ground duels won: 2
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