Johnny Kenny has announced that he will return to Celtic on January 3, aiming to make an impact under Brendan Rodgers. The Irish striker, signed by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022, has struggled to break into Celtic’s first team. After a disappointing loan spell at Queen’s Park, his future at the club seemed uncertain. However, his impressive performances on loan at Shamrock Rovers have reignited hopes for his career at Celtic.
He’s set to grab more attention this Thursday in a high-profile Europa clash against Chelsea before returning to Parkhead, where Rodgers will evaluate him as a potential third striker to support Kyogo and Adam Idah.
January 3 marks a pivotal moment for him—the day after Celtic faces Rangers at Ibrox. Speaking about his return, he said: “I’ve spoken to Celtic and I’ll be back for pre-season on January 3. From there, we’ll see what happens. Playing for Celtic is my dream, and I’m hopeful it’ll happen in January, but only time will tell. Scoring goals in Europe is worth two or three in the league, so I think I’ve made a good case for myself. After Chelsea, my focus will shift to impressing at Celtic in January.”
Reflecting on his journey, he added: “It’s always been my dream to play for Celtic, but I’ll see how things unfold. I’ve loved my time here with Rovers, even when things weren’t going smoothly last season. For now, I’m looking forward to the Chelsea game, spending Christmas with my family, and seeing what January brings. When I go back, it’ll be up to me to take the next step and earn my chance.”
Kenny’s return could influence Rodgers’ January transfer plans. Rodgers is keen on adding a young striker to provide depth and competition up front, especially after Rocco Vata’s departure to Watford. Kenny fits the profile, and his assessment in January could delay any move for a new striker until later in the window.
Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley acknowledges the impact Kenny’s departure will have but supports his progression. “It’s a testament to Johnny’s performances, and it’s great to see. We’ve seen him grow tremendously this year, showing real maturity, and it’s been a pleasure to watch. There’s so much more to come from him, and hopefully, we can continue to help him develop. But football is ever-changing—players leave, and new ones come in.”
