Celtic 'ready to sell' forward star as summer additions targeted at Parkhead
Celtic have seen a loaned-out forward linked with a permanent summer exit from the club
Celtic will have an important summer ahead as the futures of both their managerial position and playing squad are uncertain, with a lot likely to rest on how the remainder of the season pans out.
The Hoops are hoping to win a fifth successive Scottish Premiership title this season and narrowed the gap behind Hearts down to just two points with a crucial 3-1 victory over Motherwell on Saturday, while Hearts lost 1-0 at Kilmarnock in a major boost for both Old Firm clubs.
Regardless of how the season ends up come May, it has been far from plain sailing for Celtic and fans will blame a large portion of their inconsistent form on recruitment last summer. Bringing in the right players this summer, therefore, is crucial – and might see players forced to leave the club as a result to make way for new arrivals.
Celtic ‘ready to sell’ Johnny Kenny this summer after loan move
According to reports by Football Insider, Celtic are considering the future of striker Johnny Kenny this summer and are ‘ready to sell’ the 22-year-old.
The Republic of Ireland international struggled to find the net on a consistent basis at Parkhead in the first half of the season and was loaned out to English League One side Bolton Wanderers in January, where he has registered four goal involvements in six appearances and even made his senior international debut in Ireland’s unforgettable 3-2 win in Hungary to seal a World Cup play-off place.
But reporting states that Celtic are considering selling Kenny permanently this summer despite this, viewing the young striker’s future as being away from Parkhead after flattering to deceive since his 2022 move from Sligo Rovers. He has since made four loan moves and just 32 appearances for Celtic, scoring seven goals for the club.
While another loan deal is also touted as a possibility, it is thought that Kenny could be on the metaphorical ‘chopping block’ as the Bhoys prepare for an influx of summer signings in forward areas, with Hearts frontman Claudio Braga reported to be a top target.
Kenny speaks on his time playing for Celtic and World Cup dreams
In a recent interview with the Irish Independent, Kenny spoke on what it means to play for Celtic: “It’s different from other clubs. It’s nearly mandatory to win every weekend. I love it up there. The pressure, it’s a privilege to go out and be expected to win.
“People are going to talk no matter what job you’re doing. Some are going to try and be negative, but it doesn’t really affect me. You just have to get on with it. It’s easy to talk, isn’t it? There’s a reason we go on the pitch. I’m not on Twitter so I don’t see any of it [criticism]. What I don’t see can’t affect me. I think I’m pretty laid back. It’s the same as being on the pitch back in Riverstown [his hometown in Ireland]. It is intense, but that’s what comes with playing with a big club.”
He added on his January move to Bolton: “The night before I signed for Bolton I spoke to Heimir [Hallgrimsson, Ireland manager] about what I needed to do to get in the squad. He said, ‘you need to be playing regularly’.
“Then, when I spoke with Martin [O’Neill], he wouldn’t stand in my way of hopefully going to a World Cup. Martin loves Ireland too.”