Johnny Kenny has paid tribute to Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.
Though he was signed under Ange Postecoglou in January 2022, Kenny didn’t make his Hoops debut until over three years later.
Reintroduced to the squad by Rodgers, the striker’s performances were rewarded by the then-Celtic manager with a new long-term contract.
Kenny says that he is “forever in debt” as a result.
Does Johnny Kenny have a long-term future at Celtic?
Johnny Kenny ‘forever in debt’ to ex-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
On his Celtic breakthrough, Kenny told The Bolton News: “I went back and it was a world of dreams come true really.
“Brendan Rodgers took me in and treated me like I was one of his own.
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“He gave me the opportunity away at Ross County when it was minus-eight degrees up in North Scotland to make my debut with 20 minutes to go when we were 1-1.
“I came on, got an assist and we won 4-1 and he I bedded me in from there. I won a Scottish Premiership with them last year, although unfortunately lost at the Scottish [League] Cup final.
“I have a Scottish Premiership medal and not everyone can say that and Brendan gave me so many opportunities through the summer.
“He rewarded me with a new long-term contract and I’ll be forever in debt to him.”
On the opportunity to play for the Hoops, Kenny said: “I couldn’t turn that opportunity down and went to Celtic.
“That was massive. I don’t think some people understand how big of a club it is, because it’s in Scotland, but it’s a massive, massive club.
“It would have taken a lot, a big club for me to just to up and go when I just turned 18. It was a challenge to go, but I totally enjoyed it. The changes were incredible, stuff I couldn’t even have thought of.
“Getting breakfast every morning, getting everything, and basically a full-time job, but not a job because it’s a privilege.
“Going and living in Glasgow from a little town, which is just so peaceful and so quiet, to one of the biggest cities out there it was a big change, but I loved it.”
Is Brendan Rodgers a Celtic legend?
Brendan Rodgers’ final months at Celtic
Rodgers is known for his political approach to media handling – but this season, he took it to a whole different level.
His first press conference after the closure of the transfer window was quite something. He described feeling ’empty’, and blasted the ‘cowardly action’ of a club insider who briefed against him.
When asked if he knew the identity of the leak, he said ‘no’… with a subtle wink.
But if there’s one comment which sealed his fate, it was probably the Honda Civic analogy at Dens Park, which was widely derided in the media.
His exit was overshadowed by a scathing statement from Dermot Desmond which essentially blamed him for all of the club’s issues.
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