Celtic’s Johnny Kenny is heading on loan to Bolton Wanderers, according to a report.
It’s been a strange 18 months for Kenny, since he was re-integrated into the Hoops squad by Brendan Rodgers.
The striker competed with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah in the first half of 2025, before the club’s failure to sign a striker propelled him into the first-team picture.
A run of goals which included a fine header against Rangers at Hampden earned him his debut for the Ireland national team, with Martin O’Neill trusting him as a striker.
But with the Hoops completing the signings of two strikers this month, a change in the pecking-order has seemingly led to his exit.
Would you sell Johnny Kenny in January?
Johnny Kenny set for move from Celtic to Bolton Wanderers
The arrival of Tomas Cvancara has reaped rewards for Celtic so far, with the Czechia international already contributing majorly to league games against Hearts and Falkirk.
Fellow striker Junior Adamu is also having a Celtic medical ahead of a loan move to the club from Freiburg.
READ MORE: Sean Dyche admits he ‘knows of’ January links as Celtic reject Arne Engels bids
That’s not even mentioning the return of Kelechi Iheanacho from injury; the Nigerian international has contributed goals when fit.
All of these factors have resulted in Kenny being back on the transfer market, and according to Irish journalist David Sneyd, the striker is ‘heading for Bolton’ on loan.
Bolton have pursued Kenny in the past, offering a permanent deal before the Irishman agreed a contract extension at Celtic in the summer.
Given Kenny’s contributions this season, his move to a level as low as England’s third tier would be something of a surprise.
After his Ireland debut, the 22-year-old will be hoping to keep his place in the squad, with tough competition from Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah and Troy Parrott.
Achieving this whilst playing at League One level wouldn’t be straightforward, albeit Wanderers are currently sitting in third in the table.
Ireland face Czechia in the semi-finals of the play-offs for World Cup qualification in March.
Grade how successful you think Celtic’s transfer window has been
Jackie McNamara on Celtic’s Johnny Kenny
Speaking to BBC Sportscene last week, Jackie McNamara described it as a ‘shame’ that Kenny can’t contribute what O’Neill wants at Celtic.
He said: “Celtic don’t have that target man.
“They don’t have that killer in the middle to go in there and win those headers. If you have that, then you can score so many more goals.
“You can see, Kenny, it’s not his game. I think he is a second striker. I don’t think he is an out-and-out nine. With his back goal, he struggles.
“I knew, at half-time (against Auchinleck Talbot), Martin would have been saying, ‘You need to get a hold of the ball, son. You need to get a hold of the ball.’
“That’s what Martin liked about the strikers he had. Sutton, Hartson and Larsson. These guys would get hold of it. That was their job. Balls into the box, and they would go and attack it.
“That’s what Celtic are lacking just now. Kenny, it’s a shame because it’s not his game – that is something Celtic need to try and fix this window.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
