JOHNNY KENNY MADE an impressive debut off the bench for Celtic as he teed up the final goal of the Scottish champions’ 4-1 win away to Ross County.
Sligo man Kenny, who was recalled to Celtic following a superb loan spell at Shamrock Rovers during their 2024 campaign, replaced fellow Irishman Adam Idah in the 73rd minute with the scoreline still locked at 1-1.
Kenny, 21, caught the eye during a cameo which lasted over 25 minutes, registering his first Celtic assist as Luke McCowan put the cherry on top of a victory which was sealed late on by Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Johnny Kenny showing that he has something to offer with a positive Celtic debut today.
— Josh McCafferty (@JoshMcCafferty7) January 11, 2025
Put himself about well and showed great persistence to help set up Luke McCowan’s goal.
The loan at Shamrock Rovers has served him well.pic.twitter.com/VSddPueyYV
Stand-in winger Kyogo Furuhashi showed his adaptability by netting a double in Celtic’s win. The centre-forward started outside of Ireland international Idah on the right after Rodgers lost four wide players for the trip to Dingwall.
But Furuhashi was in familiar territory in front of goal when he netted in each half.
Jordan White had levelled from the spot for the hosts but the Japanese forward headed Celtic back in front in the 81st minute.
Arne Engels and substitute McCowan both netted deep in stoppage time to add some gloss to the scoreline as Celtic moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premiership.
Furuhashi was shifted wide after Daizen Maeda joined James Forrest and Nicolas Kuhn on the injured list and Luis Palma was given compassionate leave.
Visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel looked like he had layered up for the -5C temperatures but he faced two shots inside the first two minutes as Celtic twice gave the ball away on the frosty pitch. Neither were on target.
Idah stabbed a shot into the side-netting as Celtic settled down and the Cork man then set up Alistair Johnston to force the first save with a flick towards goal.
County had a better chance after good skill from Josh Nisbet set up Noah Chilvers but the midfielder missed the target with only Schmeichel to beat.
Celtic had a penalty claim rejected by Matthew MacDermid when Reo Hatate got in front of Elijah Campbell and was knocked off balance after the pair collided.
Furuhashi passed up a good chance when he stabbed the ball straight at Jordan Amissah from close range but he opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he steered home Johnston’s inch-perfect cross after a slick move.
Amissah made a double stop from Idah and Furuhashi following left-back Alex Valle’s cross before home boss Don Cowie made a double switch at half-time, bringing on target men Kieran Phillips and White.
Hyunjun Yang forced a save early in the half but County’s substitution paid off when White netted after Johnston had pushed Phillips in the goalmouth.
Rodgers brought on debutant Kenny but his first effort was a shot straight at Amissah from 10 yards.
Celtic got back in front when Engels crossed from the left and Furuhashi headed into the top corner despite Amissah getting his hands to the effort.
Engels then netted from a re-taken penalty after James Brown was eventually penalised for a challenge on Yang following a VAR review. Amissah saved the first effort but was adjudged to have moved off his line following another VAR intervention.
McCowan then received the ball from the persistent Kenny and slotted home eight minutes into stoppage time after some good skill.
I would suggest next season that people get to Richmond Park to see Mason Melia in action. He has the potential to reach and play in the premier league. After next season, he will be 18 and I expect a conveyor belt of U.K. clubs will be after his signature. It’s great that players like him are getting to play a couple of seasons in our league before moving over. It adds to the quality and excitement of our league and youngster can enjoy seeing potential future Irish stars playing in the flesh instead of them going over to U.K. and 15/16 and returning in their early 20s with dreams, ambitions and desire to continue playing football broken.
Sensationalist headline. He missed a sitter.
@Michael Carroll: Agree with you Michael, but still good to see him back with Celtic where he can improve his career!!
I know this is a bit off topic but the way the league of Ireland gets treated compared to the Scottish league is mad there is no reason to not have VAR in LOI if it’s in the SPFL and the way Sky Sports treats it don’t even get me started
@ashton oriordan: Ashton, the way it is operated in the SPL wouldn’t endear me to it. Like TMO in rugby, it’s great if operated fairly and correctly .
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: I’m just saying Apart from Celtic and Rangers the LOI and SPFL are the same level and should be treated the same
@ashton oriordan: hearts hibs and and Aberdeen are better than any side in the loi. I love the loi and support it. But there is a bigger gap in quality than you think I believe.
@Mayoforjam: Interesting that you include hearts in this list. In general I agree with you about the difference in standard but I would suggest that there are Loi clubs that could compete with in the top Scottish league in all areas except forwards. Or put another way, a lot of Irish keepers, defenders and midfielders could slot into Scottish club sides. My opinion anyway.
@Bert Carolan: I would agree with that too mostly. I think in the loi there’s a mix of players from national league level being the English 5th tier to league 1/SPFL level. In my opinion though though only 2-4 teams from the loi would be able to compete in the SPFL and I don’t think they’d do well. Derry signed Liam boyce today which is a really good signing, he’s 33 and hasn’t scored a goal for hearts all season. Hearts have a striker who’s a Scotland international and they sit down near the bottom of the league. Boyce will be one of if not the bookies favourite for top scorer this season which says a lot. To finish the loi is improving at good rate though and exciting times ahead for sure!
@Mayoforjam: Very interesting re Boyce, he hasn’t done that well for a couple of seasons (injuries maybe?) so if he does bang them in for Derry it will be a good indicator. But as I say, anyone in the Loi who looks like he might score (especially younger guys) will always leave the league. I thought there were some great games last year in the LOI, hopefully more to come.
@Bert Carolan: Agreed for sure, a goal scorer will always leave because the finances aren’t there to keep him. And yes, some great great games both in the league and in Europe last year. Both rovers and pats were exceptional in Europe last season which is a big sign of improvement for the league. I’ll be at rovers and bohs in the aviva next month and I’m looking forward to an exciting season!