Brendan Rodgers granted Celtic transfer control by one striker with 'dream' on hold
Johnny Kenny has been on the books at Parkhead for nearly four years but it's only now he truly feels like a Celtic player.
And he'd like to keep it that way. The Irish youngster was snapped up by the Hoops from Sligo Rovers in January 2022 but spent most of his time away from the club on loan spells with Queen's Park and then Shamrock Rovers.
Kenny returned to the fold in January this year and got a taste in the second half of the season with his first start at Aberdeen under his belt – where he bagged his first goal.
There was also an appearance from the bench in the Scottish Cup Final and the 22-year-old is now hungry for more. Kenny knows competition is already fierce at Parkhead and it will be even more so with Brendan Rodgers promising to add more punch to his frontline.
The boss admitted there are a host of clubs lining up to land the hitman on another loan spell. But Kenny is hoping to stick around this time – and he is adamant he's ready to step into the first team picture with Celts.
He said: 'Yes, my dream is to represent this club on a daily basis and play so many games for this club.
'I hope I can break in and get opportunities to do that because that's all I want to do. It's such a big club and I want to be part of it.'
Kenny was lethal with Shamrock Rovers and made his mark in the Europa League. But he also believes his game came on leaps and bounds at Celtic in the last six months – with Rodgers playing a huge part.
The Hoops manager has high hopes for Kenny and the striker is determined to prove him right.
When asked if he's ready to be a full-time Celt, he said: 'Yes, 100 percent. I came in, learned my trade the last few months, learned the system in and out of possession and I feel like I'm ready to kick on now.
'Hopefully, I get the opportunity to do that. My confidence is high at the moment and I think that comes from the manager.
'The Aberdeen game I started, he spoke to me beforehand and gave me the confidence to go out on the pitch and be confident, get a goal and perform.
'That's what happened on the night. As I said, since I came back, the manager – the way he spoke to me in front of the group and individually – it's just been amazing.
'I think it's all down to him. And I hope to get opportunities to repay him.'
Kenny is competing with countryman Adam Idah to lead the line – but he's thrilled to have his Irish pal on board.
Idah is ready to return to action after sitting out the first couple of friendlies on the back of his international involvement in June.
The pair might be in competition buy Kenny is determined to learn as much as he can from the frontman – and hopefully follow his path to the Ireland national team.
He said: 'Adam's brilliant, a countryman and you can see how well he's done since he came in over the last 18-months.
'He's always trying to help, whether it's me or the other strikers. He's always there if you need something.
'It's brilliant to have someone in your position and fellow countryman who is always there to help.'
Kenny is also out to help himself and he's already up and running in pre-season with a strike in the 1-0 win against Queen's Park last Friday.
There was another run out back in Ireland in the 2-1 victory at Cork City, where not even a bang on the shin was going to stop him getting on the pitch on home soil.
Celts are stepping up the pre-season preparations against Estrela in Portugal on Saturday before taking on Sporting Lisbon next week.
What happens next for Kenny though is up for debate. Rodgers hasn't decided yet whether it'll be a peg in the first team dressing room or another stint on the road getting game time.
The Hoops gaffer still sees the striker as a long term prospect and the youngster is happy to follow his lead.
In the meantime he's out to keep hitting the net and giving his gaffer food for thought.
Kenny said: 'Yes, 100 percent that's what I want to do. If I get opportunities I back myself to score.
'It was good to get off the mark on Friday and I just want to keep getting minutes and hopefully get more goals.
'I'll leave it to the manager to make a decision on that (his future). Wherever I am, obviously I want to play football.
'I want to develop myself and I think playing games is going to develop me. Obviously, I also want to break into the national team and I think playing games is the way I'm going to get into that team.'
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