It has been an interesting first six months for Johnny Kenny as a Celtic player.
Kenny made his Celtic debut against Ross County in January, after he was recalled from his loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, where he played in Europe.
But the 22-year-old only started one game after that, scoring during Celtic’s thumping win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the Premiership.
And, with the 2025 summer transfer window now open, there has been a lot of talk around Brendan Rodgers bringing in another striker for next season.
Rather than Kenny’s position or place in Rodgers’ plans being under threat, the rising star has been backed to shine alongside the man who could walk through the gates of Celtic Park.
Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny are Celtic’s future strikers
Callum Osmand is expected to join Celtic from Fulham, with the teenager yet to make a senior appearance in his career.
Some might see that as an issue for Kenny and the Irish star getting pushed down the pecking order, but Frank McAvennie doesn’t see it that way.
Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank Podcast, McAvennie has backed ‘great player’ Osmand to sign on the dotted line, and then ‘blossom’ into fighting for Celtic’s number one striker spot, alongside Kenny, in the next 12 months.
“Project,” responded McAvennie on the potential Osmand signing. “Bring him and he will be going with Kenny. He hasn’t done anything wrong.
“I don’t know the boy from Fulham. Tony Gale says ‘he’s a really good player’. But is he the kind of player that Brendan wants? Obviously, he must do something. Celtic will play with one up top now. I don’t understand why they don’t do two.
“That could be two good players. In the next year, these two could blossom to be the two that are fighting for the number one spot.”
Adam Idah ‘isn’t setting the world on fire’ at Celtic
One man who will have an eagle eye on the type of striker Celtic bring in this summer is the under-pressure Adam Idah.
Whoever’s side you are on, the Republic of Ireland star is dividing opinion, and his £9 million price tag hasn’t helped matters.
McAvennie noted what he is going to expect from Idah next season, especially given that he will now have a pre-season under his belt, which he didn’t have when he re-joined the club.
“Adam Idah isn’t setting the world on fire, at the moment,” added McAvennie. “I am expecting this year to be really good for him. Pre-season with the boys, and no excuses. This is the year that he has to go.
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