On-loan Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has loved life at Shamrock Rovers this year and now eagerly awaits his Celtic chance.

The 21-year-old re-joined Rovers in January and has become a regular for them throughout their 2024 campaign.

Kenny has made 38 appearances in all competitions this year, netting 20 goals and assisting four along the way. He has been clinical in front of goal for Rovers, and has contributed significantly towards their impressive European run.

Indeed, five games into the UEFA Conference League league phase, Stephen Bradley’s men are unbeaten. Kenny, alongside Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku and Afimico Pululu of Jagiellonia Bialystok, is the competition’s top scorer with five.

As a result of his eye-catching form on loan, Kenny will get an opportunity to impress Brendan Rodgers when he returns to Celtic next month.

The centre-forward was asked about said chance after Rovers’ 3-0 win over Borac Banja Luka on Thursday night, in which he scored twice: “I spoke to Celtic. I’m returning to pre-season on January 3, and we’ll see where that takes us,” he said (Irish Independent).

“It’s my dream to play for Celtic, and hopefully I get that in January, time will tell.”

Kenny thinks his goals in Europe have boosted his prospects of getting a chance in Glasgow’s east end. He said: “The goals in Europe are probably worth two or three in the league.

“I haven’t done myself any harm, but it’s over now (after Chelsea), and come January 3, I need to impress at Celtic.”

Rovers take on Chelsea next Thursday at Stamford Bridge in the final UEFA Conference League league phase matchday, after which Kenny will enjoy the festive period before gearing up to try and impress Brendan Rodgers.

His goalscoring abilities for Rovers are clear; time will tell whether he’ll make it as a Celt, though.