Johnny Kenny Aims to Follow in Adam Idah’s Footsteps as Celtic’s Hampden Hero

Johnny Kenny is gearing up to be Celtic’s next Hampden hero as they face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final this Sunday. The 22-year-old striker has recently stepped into the spotlight, especially after scoring two goals in a 4-0 victory over Falkirk on Wednesday night. This match marked the first game under interim management from Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, following the unexpected resignation of Brendan Rodgers.

Johnny Kenny’s Journey to Celtic

Kenny joined Celtic from Sligo Rovers in January 2022. He has had loan spells at Queen’s Park and Shamrock Rovers. Recently, injuries to key players Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho have opened the door for Kenny to showcase his talents on the pitch. Although Maeda returned as a substitute against Falkirk, Kenny is eager to lead the attack against Rangers.

Inspired by Adam Idah

Kenny is looking to replicate the success of fellow Irishman Adam Idah, who scored a crucial last-minute goal in the 2024 Scottish Cup final against Rangers. He expressed his excitement for the upcoming match, stating it is one of the biggest fixtures in world football that can create heroes.

• “It would put us into another final and it’s against our rivals,” Kenny remarked.
• He believes the game could serve as a statement victory for Celtic, given recent performances.

Recent Performance and Impact

The goals scored against Falkirk were Kenny’s second and third of the season. He had previously scored in a 3-0 win over Livingston in August. The match saw Celtic narrow the gap from league leaders Hearts to six points. Kenny stressed the importance of building momentum from his recent successes.

Mindset and Motivation

• Kenny hopes to maintain his scoring form for the intense Glasgow derby.
• He described the game as potentially the biggest of his career.
• Kenny emphasized his desire to earn a spot on the team sheet and the importance of hard work and patience.

Reflections on Brendan Rodgers

Kenny took a moment to reflect on the departure of former manager Brendan Rodgers, noting the impact he had on his career. He shared the feelings of disappointment among the team and the need to unite for a strong performance moving forward.

With high stakes in the upcoming match, Johnny Kenny aims to follow in Adam Idah’s footsteps and help propel Celtic to another cup final, against their fiercest rivals.