Credit: IMAGO

Evan Shaw

Sun 26 April 2026 14:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic should now have seen everything they need to know about Johnny Kenny when it comes to deciding the striker’s long-term future this summer.

The 22-year-old came in for criticism from some sections of the Bhoys’ fan base after missing chances in front of goal in the first half of the season, and he has spent the second part of the campaign on loan in the English League One with Bolton Wanderers.

The youngster has quickly become a key player for Steven Schumacher’s side in their bid to secure promotion to the Championship, and he found the net for them yet again in their 1-1 draw with Bradford City on Saturday.

Kenny now has six goals and three assists from just 10 starts for his loan club, and Saturday’s goal means that he has now scored in five consecutive league games.

Celtic’s transfer plans are set to see them rebuild their squad this summer, but Kenny has surely proved that he is worthy of a place in their group after he struck a wonder goal on Saturday.

Celtic have nothing left to see from Johnny Kenny

Football Insider revealed back in March that Celtic are considering selling Kenny this summer, with the plan for new attacking additions expected to force him further down the pecking order.

The frontman was criticised for his lack of clinical finishing at Parkhead earlier in the campaign, but he has spun that narrative on its head at Bolton, where he is already drastically outperforming his expected goals total.

His finish away at Bradford this weekend saw him expertly chop inside the Bantams’ final defender, before composing himself to curl beautifully beyond goalkeeper Sam Walker and into the top corner.

It was a truly accomplished finish from the Irishman, who has taken on the responsibility and become one of the first names on the teamsheet for his loan club.

His impact for the Trotters should be enough to convince those at his parent club that he is worthy of further patience and more opportunities to impress next season.

Kenny remains under contract at Celtic until the summer of 2029, and his form out on loan will surely have left the Bhoys feeling that they have seen enough to grant him another few years at Parkhead.

Bhoys set sights on ‘ambitious’ new manager appointment

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Celtic are eyeing up Thomas Frank in an “ambitious” move to try and appoint the former Tottenham boss as their next manager.

The Glasgow giants are set to make their next permanent appointment this summer, and that is sure to have a huge say on the futures of several members of their squad.

The arrival of a new manager usually means that the players are effectively set back to square one in terms of where they stand with the coaching staff, and that can often work in the favour of someone like Kenny, who has been pushed to the fringes.

Kenny will surely get his chance to impress during Celtic’s pre-season campaign, and if he ticks the boxes for the new manager, then he may have successfully avoided their plan to sell him.