Adam Matthews, now at Shamrock Rovers, considers Johnny Kenny’s Celtic chances

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The Celtic Star

·29 May 2025

Adam Matthews, now at Shamrock Rovers, considers Johnny Kenny’s Celtic chances

Former Celtic defender Adam Matthews advised his Shamrock Rovers teammates that Johnny Kenny could face challenges when returning to Celtic and stressed the importance of staying patient for his chance to break through…

Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The defender, who was at Celtic Park from 2011 to 2015, signed with the Irish club earlier this year, shortly after Kenny returned to his parent club.

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Johnny Kenny netted 20 times in 39 outings for Shamrock Rovers

In 2024, the striker netted 20 times in 39 outings for Shamrock Rovers. Since heading back to four-in-a-row Scottish champions, Kenny has made an impression despite limited game time.

Indeed, the 21-year-old found the net during his only starting appearance for Brendan Rodgers’ side last season in a 5-1 away victory against Aberdeen.

Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

As reported by Daily Record, Adam Matthews said: “He’s done really well this season for Celtic when he’s played.”

“I spoke to a couple of the boys about him, and they were like, ‘How do you think he’ll do at Celtic?’ He showed in Europe last year what he can do. Obviously, it’s going to be tough at Celtic, especially with the strikers that they’ve got.

Adam Matthews signs for Shamrock Rovers. Photo League of Ireland.

“He’s going the right way about it, and you never know”

“But he’s just got to be patient and wait for his chance. And like he has done when he gets his chance to do his best and hopefully score a couple of goals.

“He’s going the right way about it, and you never know. It’s going to be tough at Celtic, especially in the striker position. But he’s doing the best that he can. He’s started really well.”

Johnny Kenny and Liam Scales checking the results ahead of St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Kenny was among three Celtic players to convert their penalties in the shootout defeat to Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday in the Scottish Cup final. Taking the second penalty, Kenny sent Aberdeen hero Dimitar Mitov the wrong way.

Kenny has made a positive impression on Brendan. Rodgers

Kenny’s future at Celtic for the 2025/26 season is somewhat uncertain but he certainly has made a positive impression on Brendan. Rodgers, his teammates and the Celtic support. What is certain though is Celtic must sign a striker, and where that would leave Matthews’ former teammate in the pecking order remains to be seen.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kyogo has gone and has yet to be replaced and there’s also interest in Daizen Maeda, although Celtic must do everything possible to keep our player of the year at the club. Johnny Kenny has a chance to become part of the Celtic first team squad for the longer term. What he needs is for things to fall his way and to take his chances when they come his way.

Best of luck to the Bhoy.

Conor Spence

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