Johnny Kenny has paid tribute to short-lived Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy.
It has felt like a long season, with Nancy’s 33-day tenure ending right at the beginning of January after a defeat to Rangers.
With the team flying under interim boss Martin O’Neill, Nancy instantly changed system ahead of Celtic’s biggest week of the season, losing all four of his opening games.
The desperate shortcomings, on and off the pitch, from Nancy’s tenure have been well-documented – Kenny played in six of his eight games, and reflected on the difficult period this week.
What has Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic tenure done to your expectations for the Hoops’ next appointment?
Johnny Kenny on short-lived Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
Kenny told the Irish Independent: “It was difficult. He came in and everything probably changed for the 33 days.
“He just didn’t get the results required. I don’t know if I could put a finger on it, but maybe it was too much too soon.”
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“To come in and change it all when we were playing every three days and didn’t have much training time, was probably tough so that didn’t help Wilfried.
“He’s a lovely man but unfortunately it just didn’t work out on the pitch. It hasn’t been straightforward this season, but I still have full belief they can prove everyone wrong.
“The dream is to play for Celtic on a regular basis.”
On the criticism he has faced in Glasgow, the 22-year-old said: “It’s different from other clubs. It’s nearly mandatory to win every weekend.
” I love it up there. The pressure, it’s a privilege to go out and be expected to win. People are going to talk no matter what job you’re doing. Some are going to try and be negative but it doesn’t really affect me.
“You just have to get on with it. It’s easy to talk, isn’t it? There’s a reason we go on the pitch. I’m not on Twitter so I don’t see any of it. What I don’t see can’t affect me.
“I think I’m pretty laid back. It’s the same as being on the pitch back in Riverstown. It is intense, but that’s what comes with playing with a big club.”
What do you think is the main reason Wilfried Nancy couldn’t buy a win as Celtic manager? 🤔
The stats are damning…
The Celtic career of Johnny Kenny
Kenny’s career at Celtic began in January 2022 when he signed a five-year contract after a breakout season at Sligo Rovers, but after a series of loans, he wouldn’t make his debut until three years later.
His first goal for the club arrived in a 5–1 win away at Aberdeen in May 2025, and he was rewarded for his development with a new four-year contract in August last year.
After O’Neill’s interim arrival, he enjoyed a run of form that included two goals in the 74-year-old’s first match against Falkirk and a vital headed opener in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final win over Rangers.
In Nancy’s tenure, Kenny missed five big chances in six games per official stats, scoring no goals.
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