Johnny Kenny looks set to extend stay at Celtic
Manager Brendan Rodgers came out during the week to encourage the Ireland U21 international striker to sign a new deal before any decision is made over a potential loan move. His current contract expires next summer.
Kenny scored on his full debut for the Hoops in May and netted a spot-kick in their subsequent Scottish Cup final defeat on penalties.
The Sligo-native has returned for pre-season in good form. He bagged the winning goal against Queen's Park before leading the line in the 2-1 victory over Cork City at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
'I'd love to sign a new contract at this club,' Kenny said. 'It's the club I want to play for.
'Since I came back in January, I can't describe how good the manager has been for me.
'Obviously, he wants me to sign a new deal, so that's very promising for me at this club. I'm 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. I need to start talks now, and let's see where it goes from here.'
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Kenny jetted out from Cork to Portugal with the squad on Wednesday for warm-weather training.
Whether he stays with Celtic for the coming season or heads out on loan, the 22-year-old trusts in Rodgers to make the right decision for his career.
'The manager will make his decision on that. Wherever I am, I want to play football. I want to develop myself, and playing games is going to develop me.
'I want to try and break into the national team, and playing games is the way I'm going to get into that team.
'I think the manager will 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, because everything he's told me since January has been 100 per cent. I believe in the manager.'
Kenny feels confident that he's ready to be a Celtic player.
'Yeah, 100 per cent. I came in, learned my trade the last few months, learned the system in and out of possession.
'I feel like I'm ready to kick on now and hopefully get the opportunities to do that.
'My dream is to represent this club on a daily basis. There's so many games at this club and 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.
'I've only played a few times, but every time I represent this club, I want to give it everything, because you don't know when your last is. To play for this club is just amazing, and I just want to relish every moment I get.'
Kenny feels that the belief instilled in him by Rodgers has enabled him to build on his successful loan at Shamrock Rovers.
'That confidence comes from the manager. Since I came back, the way he spoke to me in front of the group and individually has just been amazing.
'It's all down to him, and I hope to get opportunities to repay him.
'If I get opportunities, I back myself to score. It's good to get off the mark, and I just want to keep getting minutes and hopefully get more goals.'
Kenny hailed his compatriot Adam Idah for his advice and support as they compete for starts in the Celtic attack.
'Adam's brilliant. You can see how well he's done since he came in in the last 18 months.
'He's always trying to help you, no matter if 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 a fellow countryman who's always there to help.'

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Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland looking to make their own history in shadow of the Lisbon Lions
The past holds sway at the Estadio Nacional on the outskirts of Lisbon. The marbled halls of its grand old entrance give way to a three-sided and otherwise old-fashioned bowl that would make for the perfect backdrop were someone to remake Escape to Victory. The place reeks of history. Its enormous floodlights stand sentinel from amidst the trees on the surrounding hills. And then there's the plaque on a wall beside the dressing-rooms that bears witness to the rickety ground's most memorable of occasions. Dedicated in 2017, it details the day half a century before when Jock Stein's Celtic side came from behind against the catenaccio kings of Inter Milan and claimed a first ever European Cup for Britain and wrote themselves into history as the Lisbon Lions. Craig Casey didn't need educating on all that history. A keen football fan, he had already taken note of this hallowed ground: just the very act of walking up onto the pitch from the subterranean tunnel was a moment for him to appreciate. 'Looking up into the press box or whatever, it's a cool mix of historic and then you see the wraparound. Then the running track on one side, it's completely open. It's a completely different stadium to anything I've ever played in and I think it's class.' Now all that past gives way to invited expressions of intent for the future. Paul O'Connell and his travelling party arrived in Lisbon on the back of an impressive win over Georgia in difficult conditions in Tbilisi seven days before, and in the hope that they can wrap up their season in some style against more Tier Two opposition. Portugal captured hearts with their effervescence at the 2023 World Cup where they drew with Georgia and defeated Fiji. The pickings since, with former Munster coach Simon Mannix replacing Patrice Lagisquet, have been slimmer. Iffy form and poor results will be reflected in a crowd of just 8,000 or so in a stadium that could hold four-and-a-half times that number come kickoff with plenty of those on site, including families of those involved, liable to be supporting the away team. For those looking on from home, the images beamed from your TV screens will make this look even less of an event given the main camera, for some reason, has to be positioned in the main stand and thus facing the empty expanse opposite. This is still a mighty big deal for those involved. Portugal don't get Six Nations sides in town all that often and for those in the visiting ranks this is another chance to put their hands up for more meaningful involvement when the big guns are back in situ next season. Interim head coach Paul O'Connell has made five changes to the side that impressed in Georgia. Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton and Hugh Gavin all make their debuts, the last of them elevated into the XV after Jamie Osborne's Lions switch. Plenty will choose to focus on how Jack Crowley goes at ten after managing just a few minutes off the bench for Sam Prendergast last time out, but everyone will be playing with a view to leap-frogging someone else in their own particular queue. All told, it's a youthful and inexperienced lot. Last week's starting side could put together 165 caps, this week's is down to just 113 with another 45 on the bench, largely due to the loss through injury of Jacob Stockdale. 'It's another chance in an Ireland jersey to put your name out there and put your performance down,' said Casey, 'and we know for a fact that those coaches coming back in the autumn will be looking at this game.' The signs are good. The turf is magnificent, as would be expected for a ground that still plays host every year to Portuguese football's Cup final, the hosts this time around are weaker, the ball will be drier, and this Ireland has been together for a month now. The tourists played smartly in the rain seven days ago but will look to unleash a lot more adventure here against a Portuguese side hewn mostly from their domestic league and one that likes to throw the ball about with a bit more abandon than the Georgians. O'Connell has spoken approvingly about how his lads adapted to those conditions, avoiding the temptation to overplay their hand during that audition, while stressing that there is no-one here who isn't capable of standing out at this level for their country. That extends to the handful of players who won't have appeared on the tour. 'It's not about just giving out caps, certainly,' said O'Connell. 'It's about giving guys an opportunity that we think can kick on in the next two-year window and do something for us and compete for places and go back and make their provinces better, which allows them to compete more for places as well. 'It might have been a bit too early for some of the guys, but it's been brilliant for us to have them on the tour with us and for them to train with us and for them to hear the language and see the way they like some of the lads prepare ,and see the way some of them take responsibility for preparing the team. It's great learning for them.' A first ever meeting of these two sides, the hope is that it will be remembered in years to come for something a tad more historic: as the day a star or two of the future is born, or at least burned its brightest yet.


Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
With the Lions away in Australia, Ireland debutants have real chance to shine against Portugal
Portugal v Ireland Estádio Nacional do Jamor stadium (7pm Irish time, live on Virgin Media) Players stopped to read the plaque dedicated to Celtic's Lisbon Lions who beat Inter Milan 2-1 to win football's 1967 European Cup, before emerging from the dressingroom area into the drizzle, taking time to absorb the panorama, the landmark concrete amphitheatre with just a single, small covered stand. Coincidentally, Celtic are in the Portuguese capital before making the journey south to play Sporting CP in the Algarve next week. A few of their supporters took time out to make the pilgrimage, no doubt slightly bemused to see the rugby posts at either end of what is a pristine playing surface. The presence of the Ireland rugby team drew a few questions. [ Paul O'Connell shakes up Ireland starting XV for Portugal as Jamie Osborne leaves for the Lions ] There won't be quite the same atmosphere on Saturday as there was 58 years ago, only 8,000 tickets having been sold in the 37,000-capacity stadium. READ MORE Portugal, who won hearts and minds at the 2023 World Cup in France with the quality of their attacking rugby under former French wing and then head coach Patrice Lagisquet, haven't been quite the same force since then. New Zealander Simon Mannix, once an assistant at Munster , took over head coach position in April 2024. Portugal have played two tier-one nations since then, losing 64-21 to South Africa almost a year ago and to Scotland 59-21 last November. In both matches they demonstrated flashes of that creative spark, particularly in the back three. Ireland captain Craig Casey recalled how Portugal had caused their fair share of problems in a World Cup warm-up game behind closed doors and that 'they ripped us up at times'. Most of the Portuguese players ply their trade in the French Pro D2 or Federale 1. The Irish scrumhalf then proceeded to charm the local media by producing his homework. 'Their 15, [Nuno] Sousa Guedes, is absolutely class. His feet are absolutely electric.' Wing Simão Bento was 'a very good player as well', he said, also praising Vincent Pinto. 'I played against him [when he played] for France U20s. We know them quite well.' Casey said: 'Their seven, Nicolas Martins, is a huge threat at the breakdown, an awesome player. He is their talisman, and they will look to their 12 as well, their captain [Tomás Appleton]. We know how special this game is for them, but it is also special for us too.' Alex Kendellen is put through his paces during training at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon, on Friday. Photograph: Ben Brady/INPHO The Irish players wished Jamie Osborne 'viagens seguras' – safe travels – as he set off to hook up with the Lions in Australia. The principal beneficiary is Hugh Gavin, one of three players making their debut, alongside wing Shayne Bolton and flanker Alex Kendellen. The inside centre role might be a better fit for 21-year-old Gavin in the medium term, but the majority of senior matches he has played for Connacht have been in the 13 jersey. He's got a very calming presence in Stuart McCloskey alongside him in the midfield. Ireland's interim head coach Paul O'Connell had a word for all three of the 'newbies'. He said Gavin was 'a big guy, fast, able to beat people, has that little bit of X-factor that we'd love to have more of in the team'. 'It's only when you really see someone in training, see someone in a match that you're going through with a real fine-tooth comb, you see the qualities they have. 'I think his [Kendellen's] ability as an athlete is pretty special. His acceleration, his speed is very high and that's a real point of difference.' Talking about Bolton, he said: 'He's excellent with ball in hand and has the ability to beat people one-on-one and we haven't had a massive amount of that in the past. It's great to give him a chance and get him on the road to development. He's had some great GPS scores in training in terms of his speed.' Ireland players train at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor on Friday. Photograph: Ben Brady/INPHO Nine new caps over the two Tests is arguably the figure that commands the most attention, but there is so much more, as O'Connell has already pointed out, in the development of individuals with fewer than 10 caps, an opportunity given to play Test rugby and to further develop unit skills like that of the young frontrow, for example. While Andy Farrell has more pressing concerns in Australia, he is watching and has been in touch. The Ireland players on the Lions tour will be keeping a weather eye on Portugal. The premise for the tour to Georgia and Portugal was to ascertain the depth in the Ireland playing roster a little over two years out from a World Cup and to see what players deserve further consideration for the four-game November series. Players talking about leaving a jersey in a better place. That's their challenge. Shine within the system. No complacency. Portugal : N Sousa Guedes; S Bento; V Pinto, T Appleton, M C Pinto; H Aubry, H Camacho; D Costa, L Begic, D H Ferreira; A R Andrade, P Ferreira; D Wallis, N Martins, D Pinheiro. Replacements : A Cunha, P S Lopes, M Souto, G Costa, F Almeida, V Baptista, A Campos, G Aviragnet. Ireland : J O'Brien (Leinster); T O'Brien (Leinster), H Gavin (Connacht), S McCloskey (Bangor), S Bolton (Connacht); J Crowley (Munster), C Casey (Munster, capt); J Boyle (Leinster), G McCarthy (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster); T Ahern (Munster), D Murray (Connacht); R Baird (Leinster), A Kendellen (Munster), C Prendergast (Connacht). Replacements : T Stewart (Ulster), Michael Milne (Munster), T O'Toole (Ulster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), M Deegan (Leinster), B Murphy (Connacht), C Frawley (Leinster), C Nash (Munster). Referee : A Leal (England)


Extra.ie
19 hours ago
- Extra.ie
The big reason why Ryan Baird is finally realising his potential at Test level
High up in the foothills of Lisbon was the setting for Ireland's final training session of the season on Friday afternoon. The Estádio Nacional, this city's iconic football ground, is nestled on the outskirts of the city and the tropical conditions, with its high humidity and misty rain, merely adding to the sense of isolation. It's like someone stuck a sports stadium in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. This was the venue where Celtic – aka the 'Lisbon Lions' – defeated Inter Milan to win a European Cup final in 1967. This is the setting for the national team's last stand of a long campaign. For interim head coach Paul O'Connell, his temporary backroom team and this young crew of players, this is the final assignment before a well-earned break and another gruelling season begins. The Captain's Run at Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Lisbon, Portugal. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady Many of the provinces have already returned to pre-season training in recent weeks. The wheel keeps turning and, for this youthful squad containing three debutants, it's a chance to lay down a marker ahead of the November internationals when Andy Farrell and the frontliners will be back on board. There's also the small matter of a rematch with the All Blacks at Soldier Field in the autumn, not to mention a meeting with the Springboks in Dublin as well as a Wallabies side, who may be celebrating a historic series win against the Lions. There is a real chance to lay down a marker ahead of the November internationals when Andy Farrell and the frontliners will be back on board. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile For now, this is about finishing an encouraging development tour on a high. O'Connell and Co have seen little of the limelight in recent weeks. You got that sense during Friday's captain's run which took place in fairly torrential conditions. The rain has followed Ireland from Tbilisi to Portugal this week. It did little to dampen the mood in camp, however. These players look determined to lay down another marker after last weekend's encouraging 34-5 win against Georgia. For such a callow crew, it was an excellent performance. Paul O'Connell and Co have seen little of the limelight in recent weeks. Pic: INPHO/Matteo Ciambelli O'Connell's young troops are unlikely to meet much resistance this evening. Portugal won a lot of admirers during the 2023 World Cup with their enterprising brand of rugby, a tournament when they famously beat Fiji in the pool stages. But Os Lobos have regressed at an alarming rate in recent years. Visionary French coach Patrick Lagisquet left his post after that tournament and Portugal have since slid down to 18th in the world rankings. Saturday's venue can comfortably hold almost 38,000 spectators but only about 8,000 are expected to turn up. Many of which will be Irish supporters. The home side are made up of players from ProD2 – the second tier of the French professional league – or their own amateur clubs in Lisbon and Benfica. Tomas Appleton, Portugal's captain and experienced centre, is a dentist by trade. There will be a big gulf in class and Ireland should ease to a comfortable victory. It's another chance for the next generation to move further up the international pecking order. There are just 165 caps in this starting line-up. For context, there were 781 in the starting XV which faced Italy in the final round of the Six Nations in March, with a further 408 caps of experience on the bench. Ireland need to rebuild ahead of 2027 World Cup. The retirements of Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray have accelerated the process and O'Connell has taken big strides in recent weeks, with Shayne Bolton, Alex Kendellen and Hugh Gavin set to swell Ireland's number of newly-capped Test players on tour to nine when the first whistle is blown on Saturday night. That's a good haul and that extra layer of depth will serve the national cause well ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Craig Casey has revelled in the captaincy. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady No doubt, Farrell and the rest of his Irish-heavy Lions backroom team will be keeping tabs on developments in Lisbon. He will be heartened by the growth of some players. Craig Casey has revelled in the captaincy. Tommy O'Brien has looked the part on the right win. Darragh Murray has been a cool customer at lock. Ryan Baird could arguably be the success story of the tour. Finally, the 25-year-old looks like he is reaching his vast potential. This will be Baird's 29th international appearance and the hope is that he is about to become a firm fixture on the blindside for club and country in the coming years. Baird's talent has never been in question. Physically, the former St Michael's student won the genetic lottery. He can do things which other forwards could only dream about. Few backrow forwards have his pace and acceleration. It's the more subtle parts of his game which have let him down, mind. A bit of grit and a bit of game smarts in tight games has been lacking. It's the reason why O'Mahony continued to get the nod long into his 30s. Ryan Baird receives the ball from a lineout against Georgia. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady Now, Baird looks a more complete player. Something clicked at the business end of his campaign with Leinster. He was tipped for big things from a long way out. Baird made his Ireland debut – alongside Casey – from the bench against Italy during the 2021 Six Nations. He has flitted in and out of the starting line-up ever since but Ireland's tour skipper has seen huge growth in his teammate in recent times. 'He's a freak athlete and I think you could see that from the moment he stepped into pro rugby,' Casey said. Ryan Baird could arguably be the success story of the tour. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady 'I think he's refined his game and his game smarts over the last few years. It's properly coming to the fore now. He's the whole package now I think. He can physically dominate games. 'He can make those bursts and stuff like that, but it's probably the rugby smarts in behind it. When the game doesn't go his way, he can just default back into them. 'I think you could see that over the last few weeks. He's been class. One thing about Bairdo, he doest it his way. He never shirks away from being himself and I've massive respect for that.' Baird should see plenty of ball on Saturday night. Ireland are primed to put on a show. They may feel like no one is watching and that's definitely been the vibe in these remote surroundings, but Baird and Co can make another big statement here.