Bolton Wanderers must have Celtic transfer envy - Steven Schumacher wanted Parkhead star | OneFootball

Johnny Kenny has been in fine form for Celtic in recent weeks.

Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has been in fine form in recent weeks.

The 22-year-old Irishman has scored four goals in as many games under Martin O'Neil, and has since been rewarded with a call-up to the Irish national team for the first time in his career.

League One side Bolton Wanderers were heavily interested in the young forward over the summer months, with their pursuit of Kenny well-documented. Eventually, he penned a new deal at Celtic Park, keeping him at the club until 2029.

Celtic did not have the best of starts this season, resulting in the sacking of Brendan Rodgers following a 3-1 defeat to Hearts. Though they have since begun a mini turnaround under Martin O'Neil, and Kenny has played a big part in this.

Bolton themselves sit third in the League One standings after they themselves managed to recover from an underwhelming start. However, when it comes to the form of Kenny, there must be some form of transfer envy, in a season where additional goals would have made a massive difference in what is looking to be an extremely tight campaign in the third tier.

Johnny Kenny is beginning to silence his doubters at Celtic

Given Celtic's history and stronghold over the Scottish Premiership across the last decade, there are extremely high standards among the supporters at Parkhead.

Following the interim appointment of O'Neil, comparisons were made between the attacking options in the squad now and those of yesteryear upon the manager's return.

However, it has to be considered that no player in the Celtic squad has had the easiest ride with supporters this season, with there currently being a seven-point gap between themselves and league leaders Hearts.

But since the 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle last month, Kenny has been a revelation.

The young Irishman has scored four in as many matches, with the best moment coming in a League Cup semi-final win against arch enemies Rangers at Hampden Park.

Following a midweek Europa League loss against Danish side Midtjylland, Kenny set his side on track to victory again last time out, as he netted the opener in what would be a 4-0 demolition of Falkirk.

He has since been rewarded with an Ireland call-up, while beginning to silence the doubters at Parkhead. Bolton, though, will believe that they missed a trick.

Johnny Kenny could have strengthened Bolton's promotion cause

Bolton went into a crucial away clash against Huddersfield last month having not picked up three points away from home all season. And thanks to a stunning turnaround in additional time, Wanderers looked to have begun turning their season around as Amario Cozier-Duberry sent the travelling support into raptures.

Cozier-Duberry himself would follow this up with another late winner the following week against fellow promotion candidates Cardiff City, before netting twice in a 4-0 win against Port Vale last time out.

The exciting winger sits second in Bolton's goalscoring charts with six, just behind striker Mason Burstow, who has netted seven times for Wanderers. And with an FA Cup win against Huddersfield sandwiched between the aforementioned clashes, Bolton are unbeaten in four domestic matches.

When compared to Burstow, Kenny is a completely different type of forward, with the 22-year-old operating as an archetypal fox in the box.

Kenny has scored four league goals from an xG of 3.56, while he has made just 23 touches in the opposition's box. Burstow is far ahead in terms of touches, with 60, and has netted seven times with an xG stat of 5.38.

The touches in the box outline exactly how the two are different, with Burstow's 21 chances created compared to Kenny's two, further backing this up.

Burstow offers control and is an incredibly versatile forward capable of operating in multiple zones across the frontline. Kenny offers something completely different with the fact that he is very much an old-school, goals-first type of forward.

Schumacher's back-up options - Marcus Forss and Sam Dalby - have found the back of the net twice and once this season, respectively. The presence of a youngster with Kenny's instincts would not just provide a fantastic option in cagier encounters, it would give Schumacher the option to even play two strikers that offer something completely different in the final third.

Schumacher and Wanderers fans will be extremely proud of their progress in recent weeks. However, the signing of Kenny over the summer could have made the difference between Bolton being promotion contenders and favourites to reach the Championship.