The way Celtic have mishandled their striker situation has opened up an unlikely door for Johnny Kenny.
This time last season, Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idam were battling it out for Celtic’s main striker spot, and Kenny was out on loan at Shamrock Rovers.
Not only that, but Brendan Rodgers was also in charge of Celtic, as it proves that a lot can change in the life of the Scottish champions in next to no time.
Whilst Kenny couldn’t get going under Rodgers, life is proving to be very different under the legendary figure and interim boss, Martin O’Neill, to the point that Charlie Mulgrew is changing his mind on the striker.
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Charlie Mulgrew praises Celtic striker Johnny Kenny
Speaking on Go Radio, Mulgrew admitted that he wasn’t so sure of Kenny when watching him during these past few months, including questioning what he is actually good at.
But watching Kenny under O’Neill, he has changed his mind on the 22-year-old, and how he now looks like a different player.
Kenny’s games under RodgersKenny’s goals under RodgersTotal minutes172540Kenny’s games under O’NeillKenny’s goals under O’NeillTotal minutes44260
“I look at him now and think, ‘he can score goals,’” stated Mulgrew. “Whereas before, I openly admitted it, I thought he wasn’t going to score for Celtic. He’s not a Celtic striker.
“He had been at Queen’s Park, and it hadn’t worked out. He goes to Shamrock Rovers. He does well and scores goals. I think it’s a completely different level.
“Now, you are getting a wee bit of management and stepping up. His movement looks good all of a sudden. He looks like he can score goals, and he is thriving with confidence.
“I looked at him and thought. Is he quick? Is he a good finisher? Can he hold it up? What are his traits? Is it good movement? I didn’t see all of that. Now, all of a sudden, I am seeing it all. It’s mad what confidence does.
“When you have trust from the manager, who is talking to you, or you feel a sort of love from him. Whatever the Martin O’Neill effect has been on Kenny. It’s working.”
Kenny now belongs at Celtic, says ex-Rangers captain
Kenny scored for Celtic against Rangers, opening the scoring in the League Cup semi-final, as he produced an outstanding display.
Craig Moore knows everything about the Glasgow derby and the pressures that come with it, as he stated that Kenny scoring against the Gers could now be the ‘making’ of the Irishman.
“He is a young lad, and he is doing it the hard way, in terms of how he has had to find his way,” said Moore. “A little bit by luck because of Celtic allowing players to go.
“You score a goal against Rangers. That can be a making of a player. I know he scored a couple before against Falkirk. Now, you are looking at a different player, who could really kick-start his career.
“And this particular match (vs Rangers). If you score in this match. I always felt, as a player, that unless I made a significant contribution against Celtic, I didn’t really deserve to be there.
“Once you do make those contributions. It’s more of a feeling of, I belong.”
