“Celtic was a difficult period for me”; Frank Lampard gives Jonjoe Kenny big chance

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Jonjoe Kenny came into Celtic last season at a time of chaos.

Signing on deadline day of the 2021 winter transfer window, Neil Lennon’s second spell had already hit the buffers, with many feeling it was only a matter of time before he departed.

That proved true just a couple of short weeks later and Kenny was left in a state of limbo under caretaker boss John Kennedy.

Seen as a signing emblematic of where it all went wrong at the Bhoys, his performances suffered as did his reputation with the Celtic support.

However, having returned to Everton and struggled through the Rafa Benitez reign, he is ready to take a chance under Frank Lampard.

Kenny won plaudits for his display at left-back in a 3-0 win over Leeds United at the weekend and is now hoping to seize an opportunity of more match action.

Speaking to Everton TV, he said: “I knew my chance was going to come, just not when it would come, and wanted to make sure I was ready. I made everything down to me, changed what I needed to and tried to get rid of excuses, which is difficult. I didn’t want to be giving the excuse that I wasn’t ready or didn’t take my opportunity.

“Celtic was a difficult period for me, off the pitch, especially. But having close family and friends and my agent and good mentors around me, and choosing that path and having these people who can really help me progress, changed a lot of things for me mentally.

“I have had a lot of ups and downs but it is about staying at it and doing what I need and focusing on me.”

Describing Lampard as a ‘breath of fresh air’, he clearly feels he can now push on at Goodison Park where he’s always dreamt of playing regularly.

There’s now a possibility he can get significant minutes in the team and add a healthy total to the nine appearances he’s already made this term.

Ultimately it’s difficult to judge to quality of any player at Celtic based on last season. Just look at the rebirth of some struggles this year under Ange Postecoglou. Who knows what might have been for Kenny in a normal season at the Bhoys?

Hopefully, the defender finds a home, whether it’s at Everton or otherwise, to play his week-to-week football.

In other news, Photo: Ange Postecoglou’s old team release Celtic inspired kit