
Johnny Kenny opens up on his Celtic future as he addresses contract talks and potential loan exit amid transfer interest
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
JOHNNY KENNY has told Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers he's ready to sign a new contract now and push hard to become a Hoops goal hero.
The 22-year-old Irishman has gone into the last 12-months of his deal after costing a six-figure sum from Sligo Rovers in January, 2022.
Sign up for the Celtic newsletter
Sign up
4
Johnny Kenny celebrates his goal against Queen's Park
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
The Republic of Ireland under-21 ace is wanted by Bolton - they've had a £500,000 bid rejected - and a host of other clubs, also keen on a loan agreement for the new season.
But Hoops manager Rodgers is holding fire just now as he carefully decides Kenny's immediate future - as an established part of his squad plans or to go out again to get more regular action elsewhere.
First, though, he wants the frontman - one start, one goal for Celtic - to put pen to paper on a contract extension.
Kenny scored in the champions' opening pre-season friendly against Queen's Park while he started in the 2-1 win over Cork City on Tuesday night to grab the Cork Super Cup.
He's full of belief - and desperate to pledge his future to his boyhood heroes.
Asked if he was keen on a new contract, Kenny - previous loan spells at Queen's Park and Shamrock Rovers - said: 'Yes, and hopefully that can be done soon.
'I'd love to sign a new contract for this club.
'At the end of the day it's the club I want to play for.
'Since I came back in January, I can't describe how good the manager's been for me.
'Obviously, he wants me to sign a new deal, so I think that's very promising for me at this club and I'll be happy to sign a new contract.
The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up
'I don't really see it being a problem at all.
'When it's going to get done, hopefully in the next few weeks.
'We need to start talks now and let's see where it goes from there.'
Kenny's prepared to leave Celtic again if Rodgers believes it's his best chance of STAYING with the champions.
The ambitious Irish striker's very keen to sign an extended contract beyond his current deal which is up next May.
Rodgers has made it clear enough that's his immediate wish for the 22-year-old - and it's great news for Bolton-target Kenny who has been just as crystal with his agent over making that a priority.
But once that's done and dusted - and there's no vibe it won't happen - then it's down to Rodgers to decide what the best option is for the Republic of Ireland under-21 ace…going out on loan again or staying within the top squad for the new campaign.
Kenny's faith in his manager is such that he's prepared to wholeheartedly go with whatever he feels is right.
4
It feels like a massive, pivotal moment in his career with hopes and dreams of glory with Celtic and his national team filling his head.
But the calm former Sligo Rovers youngster - previous loan spells with Shamrock Rovers and Queen's Park behind him - revealed: 'I'll leave it to the manager to make a decision on that.
'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.
'Whatever the manager decides, I think he'll have a pathway for me.
'I don't think he's going to keep me here and not play me.
'So, whatever the manager decides I'm all behind it.
'Everything he's told me since January has been 100-per-cent, so I believe in the manager.
'My confidence is high at the moment and I think that comes from the manager.
4
'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.
'Obviously, he wants me to sign a new deal, so I think that's very promising for me at this club and I'll be happy to sign a new contract.
'I don't really see it being a problem at all.
'When it's going to get done, hopefully in the next few weeks.
'We need to start talks now and let's see where it goes from there.'
Kenny's had just one first team start - but managed a goal, against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in May.
A clinical winner against Queen's Park at Lesser Hampden last Friday underlined his potential after he finished last season strongly, including a Scottish Cup final appearance off the bench and a converted penalty in the heartbreaking shoot-out defeat to Aberdeen.
And Kenny feels ready to be a Celtic player.
He said: 'Yes, 100-per-cent.
4
He came off the bench against Rangers last season
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
'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.
'The Aberdeen game I started. The manager 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.
'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.
'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.'
Kenny, meanwhile, paid tribute to fellow Irishman and £9.5 million Celtic star Adam Idah for his influence.
He added: 'Adam's brilliant, a fellow 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.'
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
Forward Yamada agrees Celtic transfer
Kawasaki Frontale striker Shin Yamada has agreed a £1.5m transfer to Celtic and the 25-year-old will arrive in Scotland after Japan face South Korea on 15 July. (Sports Hochi via Herald - subscription required, external)Nice are closing in on the signing of Rapid Vienna winger Isak Jansson, for whom Celtic had made an enquiry but decided was too expensive, after the clubs agreed a fee of £9m for the 23-year-old Swede. (Sky Sports), externalCeltic have been offered renewed hope of signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who was targeted by the Scottish champions in January, after the 24-year-old forward missed Royal Antwerp's training session amid transfer negotiations. (GVA via Daily Record, external)Johnny Kenny is keen to sign a new Celtic deal, but the 22-year-old striker, for whom an offer from Bolton Wanderers was rejected, is also happy to then head out on loan if that is what manager Brendan Rodgers wants. (Herald - subscription required), externalWest Bromwich Albion are hoping to sign Jeffrey Schlupp after the 32-year-old left-back was released by Crystal Palace following his loan to Celtic. (Football Insider), externalGirona will only sell 26-year-old out-of-favour former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who has been linked with Celtic, Freiburg and Hamburg, if they bring in another striker this summer. (AS), externalScott Allan, formerly of Celtic, has joined SPFL newcomers East Kilbride's coaching staff. (Sun), externalRead Thursday's Scottish gossip


Scotsman
20 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Rangers 'consider' move, Celtic ‘decide against' deal, 16-cap Scotland ace 'in talks'
Here is the latest Scottish football transfer news including the latest rumours surrounding Rangers, Celtic and the Scotland national team. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here is the latest Scottish football transfer news and gossip this Thursday morning, including the latest rumours surrounding Rangers, Celtic, the Scotland national team and more. Ex-Scotland cap joins 15th club Former Celtic striker Tony Watt has joined Patrick Thistle after his release from Dundee United in the summer. The 31-year-old has signed a two-year-deal at Maryhill, who become the 15th club of his career. Having won promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2023/24, Watt struggled for regular game time at Tannadice last season, and spent the second-half of last season on loan to former club Motherwell, featuring 28 times at Fir Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To secure a player like Tony is a real coup for the club,' said head coach Mark Wilson. 'I played with him briefly when he was a youngster at Celtic and he's gone on to have a distinguished career since then. He arrives here as a very experienced player who had an excellent season the last time he was playing at this level and we want to give him the platform to perform like that again.' Tony Watt has joined Patrick Thistle on a free transfer this summer. | SNS Group St Mirren 'rejected' by defender St Mirren have failed in their attempts to lure Latvian defender Daniels Balodis to the SMiSA Stadium this summer, with the former St Johnstone centre-back set to sign for Slovakian side Tatran Presov. The 27-year-old spent last season at McDiarmid Park, playing 13 times, bur departed Perthshire following the club's relegation to the Scottish Championship. His form at St Johnstone had alerted head coach Stephen Robinson to his availability, but it appears the Paisley outfit have been unsuccessful in their attempts to keep the Riga-born defender in the Scottish Premiership, with Balodis on the verge of completing a move to the Slovakian top flight. Daniels Balodis departed St Johnstone earlier this summer. | SNS Group Scotland ace set for shock switch Scotland international goalkeeper Angus Gunn is set to make a surprise move to the Saudi Pro League, according to a report from MidanAlYaum. The 29-year-old was released by Norwich City in the summer and is available as a free agent, leading to loose links with a move to the Scottish Premiership. However, it appears the 16-cap stopper is now interesting Al-Khaleej, who have 'opened talks' with Gunn and his agent, with offer that has been made from the club 'welcomed' by the ex-Southampton man. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad English Premier League sides Everton and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in Gunn in recent months, with the Toffess thought to have an interest in Gunn due to David Moyes need for an experienced back-up to Jordan Pickford on Merseyside. Angus Gunn is 'in talks' with a Saudi Pro League club - though Everton have an interest in bringing him to Merseyside this summer. | SNS Group Rangers 'consider' surprise move Rangers are mulling over a transfer move for ex-Ibrox ace and current Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass, following the financial uncertainly currently surrounding the Owls. Head coach Russell Martin has already raided the Hillsborough outfit for Djeidi Gassama, who is expected to have his move to Rangers confirmed imminently, with the Ibrox hierarchy now said be 'closely monitoring the situation' at the EFL Championship outfit, according to an exclusive report from the Sheffield Star. According to the report 'several players are understood to have tendered a notice period' at Sheffield Wednesday, after cashflow problems saw wages for May and June 2025 not paid on time for most senior players and staff, with the Owls' pressing need for funds putting several clubs on alert as they look to poach their key players. Coventry City, Derby County and Norwich City are also reported to hold an interest in Windass. Josh Windass has been a key figure for Sheffield Wednesday in recent years - but is now set to leave Hillsborough. |Celtic 'decide against' transfer Celtic have pulled out of a move for winger Isak Jansson due to Rapid Vienna's price tag - but have been offered renewed hope of in their quest to sign Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The Scottish champions were reported to have made an inquiry for Jansson, 22, but baulked at the asking price for the young Swede, and will now turn their attentions other targets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to Sky Sports, Jansson is now edging closer to a move to Ligue 1 side Nice after the two club's agreed a deal worth around £9million for the diminutive winger. Celtic could now move forward with a deal for long-term target Balikwisha though, following reports that the Belgian missed training with Royal Antwerp amid transfer negotiations. Antwerp's forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha is a long-term target for Celtic. | Belga/AFP via Getty Images


Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Livid Celtic hero goes in two-footed on Nicolas Kuhn as pundit paves the way for imminent Lennon Miller bid
The German will sign for Como imminently in a £17.2million deal but the German has been told he cost himself something greater Fuming Frank McAvennie claims departing Celtic star Nicolas Kuhn has his head turned back in January and denied himself the chance to sweep the boards in Scottish football. The German will sign for Como imminently in a £17.2million deal but the unfiltered Parkhead legend reckons the wide man is leaving on a sour note. Kuhn endured a mixed second half of the season after thrilling punters with over goal contributions and signature displays against compatriots RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. And McAvennie reckons the fee is good business for a player he claims knew he was for the off long before Cesc Fabregas' side launched their official bid. 'Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank podcast, McAvennie said: "Listen, he has been wonderful. Come January, he was winning every trophy. Player of the Year. He would have won everything. Players' Player of the Year. Supporters player of the Year. He would have won everything. 'After January, somebody has tapped him up. His agents tell him how good he is and that he is better than Celtic. 'Better than Celtic, and you are going to Como? Tell me that it isn't about money. It's very good (deal for Celtic), but I don't think it's what Brendan (Rodgers) wants.' Meanwhile, Gordon Dalziel reckons the Lennon Miller sweepstakes are about to begin and he reckons Celtic are right in the mix to land their long-term target. The Fir Park skipper's dad Lee admitted his son harbours ambitions to star in Europe, however, Brendan Rodgers is an admirer of the 18-year-old Scotland international and would love to bring him to Glasgow's east end. And Well fan Dalziel senses Miller's future will be resolved imminently. Speaking on Superscorebaord, he said: "If I were Motherwell, I would be wanting more than that (£4.5 million). But, at the end of the day, it just depends on what Celtic were prepared to offer, and what Motherwell were prepared to accept. 'Is Lennon Miller looking to stay in Scottish football? That's a big question as well – he may just have his eyes open with that. 'Or, he just looks at Celtic and thinks, 'what a fantastic challenge it is to go and work under a coach with the ability of Brendan Rodgers.' And, of course, being at a club the size of Celtic. I am sure Celtic will probably have a lot of targets lined up, and I wouldn't be surprised if you would see this moving very, very shortly. 'I think they need a couple of, for me, to please the Celtic fans. A couple of big names just to take it forward and give them that excitement.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here.