Johnny Kenny set for Ireland debut after scoring four goals for Celtic | OneFootball

Johnny Kenny has been rewarded for his goalscoring exploits at Celtic after breaking into the starting XI under interim manager Martin O’Neill…

Johnny Kenny opens the scoring. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership Celtic Park, 9 November 2025. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO /Shutterstock

The Celtic striker has received a call-up for the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Portugal and Hungary.

The Celtic striker has netted four goals in four games since Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney stepped into the job following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers and his assistant manager John Kennedy.  Kenny’s opportunity came due to injuries at Celtic and the same thing may well apply at international level as the 22 year-old former Shamrock Rovers striker awaits his first senior cap for his country.

Roma striker Evan Ferguson,  apparently a Celtic target in the January 2025 transfer window, is missing out on this camp due to injury and that could open the door for Johnny Kenny who is clearly the Ireland striker in the best goalscoring form at the moment.

Kenny has represented the Republic of Ireland eight times at U21s and was called up to the senior squad in September but was not selected to play. That though could be about to change for the Celtic striker who committed his long term future to Celtic, signing a four year contract earlier this year, amid interest from England.

Celtic v Falkirk 29.10.2025 Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership. Johnny Kenny goal 1-0. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Kenny may have competition for a starting slot from the former Celtic striker Adam Idah who left the club for Swansea in the closing days of the summer transfer window, for a fee of around £7m.  Idah scored 20 goals for Celtic last season, including three in the Champions League and he also forced the own goal against Young Boys that saw Celtic qualifying out of the group stages of European club football’s premier competition.

Adam Idah scores the winner for Celtic in the 2024 Scottish Cup Final against theRangers at Hampden. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

The season before, while on loan from Norwich City, Idah scored crucial goals in a tight title race to help Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership trophy then was the Hampden hero, coming off the bench to score a 90th minute winner agains theRangers in the 2024 Scottish Cup Final.