What Brendan Rodgers really thought of Johnny Kenny’s Celtic debut vs Ross County

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Johnny Kenny finally made his Celtic first-team debut vs Ross County two years after joining the club.

The Republic of Ireland U21 joined Celtic from Shamrock Rovers on a five-year deal back in January 2022 but injury hampered Kenny’s chance to make his Hoops debut under Ange Postecoglou.

Kenny was then loaned to Queens Park in August where he made 12 appearances with no goal return. However, it was the Celtic youngster’s spell at Shamrock Rovers that caught Rodgers’ eye as he recalled the 21-year-old striker from his loan spell after netting 26 goals in 76 games.

In Celtic’s win against Ross County, Kenny made his debut and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as he showed his danger for the Hoops in Dingwall.

• READ MORE: Celtic’s Unique Angle captures what Arne Engels did to the Ross County goalkeeper after scoring his penalty

Brendan Rodgers pays compliments to Celtic striker Johnny Kenny

Speaking about the young Irishman’s debut post-match, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers waxed lyrical about the youngster’s first appearance in the green and white Hoops.

Rodgers told BBC Radio Scotland, “It was absolutely brilliant. You think a young Irish guy came in a few years ago and he obviously went back out and in and done really well. He scored goals regularly.

“He scored in Europe for Shamrock. To then come in and be given that opportunity. And I thought I was so pleased for him because it just means everything to him and to any of the young players.

“So he’s deserved that wee run out that he’s had. He’d come in, him and Luke (McCowan). They energised the game.”

Why Brendan Rodgers made surprise Alex Valle substitution in Celtic’s win vs Ross County

Alex Valle was one of Celtic’s best players as the young on-loan Barcelona full-back put in his second-best performance of the season, according to Fotmob.

Young Valle was rated 8.0 as he played 85 minutes in Dingwall as he created three chances and had two shots on target for Celtic.

Replaced by Liam Scales with minutes to spare, Rodgers explains why he replaced the young Catalonian for the Republic of Ireland international.

Rodgers continued, “Obviously, Scales, he’d come in and just shore the game up for us because they go big and direct. We have that extra height. But for him in particular, it’s really good.”

Even in defence, Rodgers has good options to call upon should the Celtic manager need them and it’s clear that he intends to do that as the Bhoys fixtures continue to come thick and fast.