“We need to go and show the real Celtic. It’s a big game,” Johnny Kenny

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The Celtic Star

·26 de outubro de 2025

“We need to go and show the real Celtic. It’s a big game,” Johnny Kenny

It’s looking very much like Johnny Kenny will be the main Celtic striker until at least the end of the year, following the hamstring injury suffered by Kelechi Iheanacho in the opening stages of Celtic’s 2-1 win over SK Sturm Graz in the Europa League match at Celtic Park…

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic is taken off the pitch after being seen to by medical staff during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Kenny didn’t get a goal but certainly led the line well and was unlucky with his first involvement, shaving the post after robbing a Graz defender out on the touchline.

With Daizen Maeda also sidelined, 22 year-old Kenny starts today at Tynecastle and what better place for him to show he’s he man for the job in what is a hugely important match in the Scottish Premiership.

Johnny Kenny of Celtic shoots at goal Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, , Celtic Park – 23 Oct over 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Kenny certainly wouldn’t have expected to play over 90 minutes against SK Sturm Graz after the team was announced but the Irishman also knows that he always has to be ready to go on. Kenny spoke after the game about the words of encouragement given to him by Brendan Rodgers as he got ready to enter the field of play as Iheanacho walked down the tunnel to receive treatment.

“I just know I have to be ready at all times,” said Kenny, as reported by TCW. “You never know what’s going to happen in a game of football.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, waves to fans as he arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“The manager just said, ‘Go on, you’ve been very good in training’. Obviously, I have a great history in Europe. So he said, ‘Just go and show that again tonight’.”

“If the opportunity comes, I’d be raring to go,” Johnny Kenny said. “Obviously, the manager’s been very good with me since I came back. Whatever decision the manager makes, I’m fully behind him. I’ve waited my time now for an opportunity. I need to go and take it now. I think we need to go and show the real Celtic. It’s a big game.

“We need a similar performance to Thursday night. Obviously, [we’ll] take the game to them and see what happens.”

🔒 Starting XI is locked in. Here’s how the Bhoys line up for #HEACEL 👇 #CelticFC🍀
– domingo, 26 de outubro de 2025

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain available from celticstarbooks.com

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books