Shamrock Rovers have agreed terms with Celtic for a loan extension for striker Johnny Kenny.
The Sligo native came through the underage system at Sligo Rovers. He was a member of Liam Buckley’s squad in 2021 making his debut against Dundalk at the Showgrounds in March.
He went on to score 12 goals for the Bit O’Red including one in their Europa Conference game against FH Hafnarfjordur of Iceland. Kenny made his Ireland U19 debut later in 2021.
Kenny left Sligo for Celtic on a five year deal in January 2022 and made 12 appearances on loan at the Championship club Queen’s Park.
Kenny joined Shamrock Rovers on loan from Celtic for the 2023 season where he made 30 appearances in the league and four in European competitions.
Head Coach Stephen Bradley was speaking with shamrockrovers.ie about the loan extension for Kenny.
“Yeah, I am absolutely delighted. Johnny showed last season, as a young player which people tend to forget, that he’s still learning the game and there’s still much room for improvement and growth. He’s one who we feel really fits what we do.
“He’s a brilliant kid with a brilliant attitude and we feel he’s got all the potential to be a high-level centre forward. So, we’re absolutely delighted to have him back.”
Kenny joined Shamrock Rovers from Celtic after a tough eighteen months.
“People just see the player on the pitch. What you must also understand is that he had a difficult eighteen months before he came to us, and it takes time for a player to adjust. To a new environment, new teammates, so it takes time and doesn’t just happen overnight.
“The positive thing is he’s young with a top-class attitude. He’s looking to improve, to work hard and wants to get better. I think he’s got real ability and I think Johnny can fulfil that here and hopefully we can help him fulfil that ability.”
“We were always talking. I’ve been talking to Johnny since last Summer about staying for another year, so we spoke about it on a regular basis. For someone so young, he’s mature in how he goes about the game and how he sees the game.
“So, it’s brilliant that he sees his immediate future here. He got a taste of it last year as we won the league and a taste of what he can achieve here, both as an individual and in a team.
“I always got the sense he wanted to be part of that and when we look at all Johnny’s stats last season, he’s very close to scoring a lot of goals and I think that can happen here.”
Kenny is delighted to extend his stay with the Dublin side. “I’m delighted to be back. Winning the title was massive for us last year and was a big incentive for me to come back. Hopefully we can kick on this year and go further in Europe and in the Cup
“Definitely. I didn’t play to my best last season. I hope to get back fully fit this year and be able to show the fans what I’m really about.
“Winning the league was massive and gave me a taste of what you want to do and how many trophies you want to win. Stephen has been brilliant, on how to improve on and off the pitch and how to fit into a team, on and off the pitch.”
