Former Shamrock Rovers striker Johnny Kenny is finally getting his chance to shine at Celtic. After three years with the club, he made his debut against Ross County and is expected to feature again against Dundee. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Kenny's enthusiasm and finishing ability, suggesting that fans are in for a treat.
Celtic fans are still getting to know former Ireland Under-21 striker Johnny Kenny - three years into his time at the Scottish champions. But if Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Monday are anything to go by, the Bhoys faithful will get a crash course in the former Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers striker’s top qualities. Kenny came off the bench last weekend against Ross County to make his Celtic debut, and all indications are that he will feature again on Tuesday against Dundee.
Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers hailed Kenny on the eve of the Dundee game, saying: “The one thing that I love with young players is the enthusiasm. Because, with enthusiasm there’s no expectation, they just come and play, and they come and run, and that’s what he gave when he came on to the pitch. “At this moment I’ve been really pleased. He showed a wonderful enthusiasm for football, and to work, and he’s done really well. And I can see, 25 yards in, he’s a really, really good finisher.” Shamrock Rovers supporters will no doubt echo Rodgers’ thoughts on the man who scored 20 goals in all competitions last year. So what can Celtic fans expect from their 21-year-old prospect?This is one of Kenny’s key strengths. Check out his run for Rovers’ equaliser away to Rapid Vienna. As play built up on the left, he ghosted in from the right, and as Josh Honohan prepared to cross, he gave himself a tap-in with a brilliant piece of movement. As his marker covered Kenny’s run towards the near post, the striker quickly changed direction and was in acres of space to finish. It was one of those goals that looked so simple in real time, but the hard work was done before the ball landed at Kenny’s feet. A good striker knows when to move, but also when to stand still. And in the 3-0 win against Borac Banja Luka he did exactly that for his first goal. He moved to the near post for Honohan’s cross, which was overhit, but while his defender followed the ball as it ran to Darragh Burns on the other side of the area, Kenny held his ground and was unmarked to head home the delivery. Finishing Still a little raw in this department, Kenny can miss some of the easier chances that come his way. He snatched at a great chance to score against Chelsea, shortly before Markus Poom found the net for the Hoops. But as he proved in the Europa Conference League game against Borac, when his confidence is up he is deadly in front of goal. This was one that could have gone all wrong, considering the amount of time he had to think about his finish. But he executed a wonderful chip over the goalkeeper’s head. Pace Kenny is no slouch. We look again to his second goal against Borac, when he darted from halfway, behind a high defensive line and produced a great chipped finish. Workrate Luke McCowan wouldn’t have gotten on the scoresheet if it wasn’t for Kenny’s persistence and eagerness to run with the ball and chase it on a dreadful surface. Shamrock Rovers fans will be aware of his workrate from his time at Tallaght Stadium. No cause is ever lost as far as the Sligo native is concerned.
CELTIC JOHNNY KENNY SHAMROCK ROVERS IRELAND
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