Johnny Kenny was understandably beaming after netting his first goal for Celtic in Wednesday night’s emphatic 5-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The 21-year-old striker, who signed from Sligo Rovers in 2022, had previously played just 83 senior minutes for the Hoops this season without finding the net. That all changed when he latched onto a cross to score in front of the travelling support and cap off a fine night for Brendan Rodgers’ much-rotated side.
“It was brilliant,” Kenny told Sky Sports after the match. “As a young lad, I dreamed of playing for this club and scoring. Once the cross was coming across, I just wanted to get on the end of it.”
Kenny revealed that Rodgers had given him advance notice he would feature, helping him to prepare for the moment. “The gaffer told me early last week I was going to play and just be calm and you’ve got your opportunity, so I just have to do what I do.”
The young Irishman has had to be patient this season, watching on from the fringes of the first team as Celtic powered to another Premiership title after he returned from loan in January. He explained how learning from the established forwards in the squad has been key to his development.
“I’ve been here since January and watching the lads and just learning off them and just being calm and trying to replicate what they do every week.”
Kenny’s goal will no doubt give him confidence as Celtic head into the final stages of their season. While it remains to be seen how big a part he plays in the run-in or next season’s plans, his moment at Pittodrie has shown the Hoops support that the striker has an instinct for goal and the hunger to take his chance when it comes.
With Celtic facing St Mirren at home on Saturday to lift the Premiership trophy, Kenny may get another chance to impress as Brendan Rodgers looks to manage his squad ahead of the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.
