Johnny Kenny makes it clear – He wants to sign new Celtic contract | OneFootball

Johnny Kenny’s certainly had a good start to pre-season with Celtic this summer. A sharp finish against Queen’s Park and another assured outing in the Cork Super Cup against Cork City have reminded everyone why Celtic brought the Irish striker to Glasgow in the first place.

Kenny looks leaner, more confident, and determined to carve a future for himself at Celtic. But despite his progress, the harsh reality is that game time in the upcoming campaign could be hard to come by.

Behind Daizen Maeda, who looks like a first choice striker, rather than a winger now, and with Adam Idah the next in line for minutes, Kenny finds himself in a queue that is only getting longer. New names like Shin Yamada and Guiseppe Ambrosino are being mooted, while Callum Osmand has already arrived from Fulham.

For all Kenny’s hard work since returning from his loan spell at Shamrock Rovers in January, minutes in the first team may not be plentiful.

4th July 2025; The City Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland; Pre Season Football Friendly, Queens Park versus Celtic; Johnny Kenny of Celtic celebrates with his team mates after he scores in the 20th minute to make it 1-0. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

And Kenny knows it. Speaking with The Irish Examiner Kenny was refreshingly honest and grounded about where he stands. He made it clear he wants to be at Celtic—“It’s the club I want to play for at the end of the day”—and praised Brendan Rodgers for his guidance and belief.

The manager wants him to sign a new deal, and Kenny sounds ready to do just that. But crucially, he also recognises the importance of playing regularly, whether at Celtic or on loan.

“I want to develop myself, and I think playing games is going to develop me. I want to try and break into the national team, and I think playing games is the way I’m going to get into that team.”

Kenny’s ambitions clearly stretch beyond club football, he also wants to pull on the green of Ireland, and to do that, he needs games. Competitive, week-in, week-out football. Cameo appearances in the League Cup or brief Scottish Premiership run-outs won’t be enough. And Rodgers, to his credit, seems to understand that.

Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Celtic is a club that demands immediate results. The pressure to win every game and compete on multiple fronts means development players are often the first to fall by the wayside. For Kenny, who’s now at a pivotal point in his career, standing still is simply not an option now, it could be so detrimental to his career.

Signing a new contract would be a positive step—an indication that Celtic still see him as part of the long-term plan. But for that to mean anything, it has to be followed by a loan move that challenges him, develops him, and allows him to test himself against seasoned pros. Not just any loan, either. A good level. Championship in England or top end of the SPFL, perhaps one playing in European competition?

Johnny Kenny of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Celtic Park, 05 February 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Kenny has done everything right since January. He’s worked, he’s learned, and now he’s ready. But staying around Lennoxtown without a real chance of playing risks undoing all of that. The next move is critical—not just for Kenny’s Celtic career, but for his wider development as a player.

He said it himself: “My dream is to represent this club on a daily basis.” That dream doesn’t end if he goes out on loan. In fact, a smart loan move this season might be the very thing that makes it possible.

Because if Johnny Kenny keeps progressing, keeps scoring, and keeps showing the hunger we’ve seen in pre-season, his day in the Celtic team, as a regular may well come. Just maybe not quite yet.

Niall J

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image above to join.

More Stories / Latest News

Johnny Kenny makes it clear – He wants to sign new Celtic contract

Jul 9 2025, 21:03

Brendan excited by two of Celtic’s summer signings

Jul 9 2025, 16:50

Celtic Signings – Patience is a virtue for now at least

Jul 9 2025, 13:20