Lincoln City should aim high with Celtic striker in January | OneFootball

With a poor run of form taking the focus in recent weeks for Lincoln City, the need for January recruitment has become paramount.

With a poor run of form taking the focus in recent weeks for Lincoln City, the need for January recruitment at the LNER Stadium has become paramount.

As Michael Skubala has noted himself that additions need to be made this month. The Imps head coach has been keen to reiterate his want of an experienced striker to add to his troubled squad, with the defeats racking up over recent weeks.

Lincoln are six without a victory, and have gone on a drought in Sky Bet League One - winning just one of their last 13 games in the bread and butter of league football.

Cups had become somewhat of a solace for the Imps, but defeats to Birmingham City in the FA Cup and Bolton Wanderers in the Vertu Trophy have put an end to that.

Lincoln City should be ambitious

In that context, Lincoln should be ambitious in this January window, recruiting a striker who can add real firepower to their faltering top line.

Bill Gaine, Irish football expert and founder of the Irish Football Blog, has given his verdict, putting Celtic’s Johnny Kenny as the best option for the Imps out of those talents who have graced the Emerald Isle's top-flight.

Lincoln have dipped into the Irish market multiple times, with Jack Moylan a notable addition in last January’s window.

Kenny has returned to parent club Celtic after a successful loan stint at 2023 Irish champions Shamrock Rovers, which including games in UEFA Champions League qualification and the Conference League group stages.

The 21-year-old secured an assist on his debut for the green side of the Old Firm, replacing former Norwich City striker Adam Idah in a routine win on his return from loan.

Bill Gaine said: "Johnny Kenny is a pacey attacker, who has been capped by Ireland at under-19s and under-21s level. And, though he secured an assist on his Celtic debut, his future is unclear.

"I suspect Celtic would be open to selling or loaning him out, and I think he’d do very well at Lincoln."

Gaine praised the qualities of the Irish league as a place for EFL clubs to do their shopping, and said: "I'd go as far to say that the League of Ireland is the best pound for pound value investment for talent that most clubs could make in Europe."

Celtic man can fit the bill for Imps

Kenny would be a brilliant addition after a stellar stint at Shamrock.

While the Imps head coach, Skubala, has placed some importance on securing a more experienced name to add to his youthful front line, that has not been the consistent Lincoln philosophy.

The League One side routinely prioritise youth.

With academy products Jovon Makama and Freddie Draper alongside Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri, and the only currently fit experienced name, Ben House, the ranks are needing replenishment this January.

Experience is often the key, but the ability and proven goalscoring credentials that Kenny possesses are great qualities that City should be targeting.

The business of this winter transfer window is presumably going to come in the second half, with numerous rumours and links being touted without any deals being brought over the line just yet.

Managing 26 goals in 76 Shamrock appearances, across a duo of loan spells, Kenny is a real talent. The Republic of Ireland has often been a hotbed for footballers, with the youthful attacker the latest in a long list.