JOHNNY KENNY is aiming to be an overnight sensation – after joining Celtic almost four years ago.
The eight times-capped Republic of Ireland international striker was signed by Ange Postecoglou from Sligo Rovers in January 2022.
Two lengthy loan spells at Shamrock Rovers plus a brief stint at Queen’s Park have kept Kenny out of the first-team picture at the champions.
However, the 22-year-old frontman was eased back onto the radar by Brendan Rodgers, the man “who changed my life”, according to the player.
Kenny scored his first Hoops goal in the 5-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on May 14 last season and had to wait over three months before adding to it with a close-range effort in the 3-0 success over Livingston in the east end of Glasgow on August 23.
HIGHS AND LOWS…Johnny Kenny celebrates his second goal against Falkirk and (below) looks on ruefully after passing up the opportunity of a hat-trick.
After waiting so long for his first two strikes for the team, the youngster claimed a double in TEN minutes in the 4-0 triumph over Falkirk at Parkhead in midweek – only a couple of days after Rodgers’ shock resignation.
Martin O’Neill answered the call to return to the club 20 years after leaving and he pitched Kenny in from the start of his comeback match as interim gaffer.
With his mentor Rodgers off the premises, the player had to respond in the best way possible and he collected a first-half double and should have claimed a hat-trick shortly after the interval when he blazed over the crossbar from 12 yards with just ex-Celt Scott Bain to beat.
Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti netted to bring down the curtain on a 4-0 victory – and now all eyes are on Hampden on Sunday as the holders prepare to take on Danny Rohl’s Ibrox outfit in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final.
Kenny is determined to play his part in Celtic’s quest to pick up the first piece of silverware of the crusade and said: “It’s probably the biggest fixture in world football and it can create heroes.
“A couple of seasons ago, Adam Idah came in and scored a big goal against them in the Scottish Cup Final.
“Hopefully, I can replicate something like that.
“It’s a massive game and it would be a marker put down by us to get into another Cup Final.”
WHAT A DOUBLE-ACT…Johnny Kenny and Benjamin Nygren provided three of Celtic’s four strikes in the win over Falkirk at Parkhead.
Reflecting on his double strike against John McGlynn’s team, Kenny remarked: “It was brilliant. It’s obviously great to get two goals in any game.
“I felt like it was coming in my last performance, but I just didn’t manage to hit the net. But, thankfully, I did against Falkirk.
“It’s a massive boost for me. I don’t think anyone knows what it means.
“You don’t want to go on not scoring. Hopefully, I can take this in to Sunday.
“It would be one of the biggest games of my career. A Glasgow derby in a semi-final of a Cup.
“Every player is desperate to be on the team sheet every week and it’s no different for me.
“I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard and delivering on the pitch.”
Commenting on the managerial upheaval, Kenny, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Tuesday was obviously a hectic day. It was disappointing. Since I’ve been here, it’s always been Brendan.
“It was tough. It’s the first time I’ve lost a manager in my career, so it was strange around the training ground.
“We knew we had to come together and get a good result.
“Brendan changed my life and changed my career. I’ll be forever grateful for that.
“But obviously he’s gone now and we need to battle on.”
BACK IN THE OLD ROUTINE…Martin O’Neill watches from the touchline.
Seventy-three-year-old O’Neill is now the man with his hand on the tiller and Kenny added: “I knew he was very successful here, but that’s about it. I would have been very young when he was in charge of the club before.
“He obviously managed Ireland to some big moments and he’s so well respected and it’s fully deserved. He’s done so much for this football club and, hopefully, he can bring that to us in the next few games and however long he’s here.
“At Celtic, there is always pressure no matter who the manager is or what the style of play might be.
“We just need to answer that pressure, put in big performances and get results.
“The manager just said to go out and be free – but that we needed to win. Simple as that. Thankfully, we did.”
