Patience pays off as Kenny makes impressive Celtic debut in late victory over Ross County 

Three years after first joining, the Sligo striker brought his League of Ireland form off the bench as Brendan Rodgers' champions score three late on to secure victory over stubborn hosts

SUPER SUBS: Celtic's Luke McCowan (centre) celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game set up by Ireland striker Johnny Kenny (left) during the William Hill Premiership match at the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall. Pic: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

ROSS COUNTY 1 CELTIC 4

Almost three years to the day he first joined, Johnny Kenny finally tasted his Celtic debut and looked a man eager not to waste any more time. Kenny made an instant impact off the bench, helping the Scottish champions find three late goals to break down a stubborn Ross County side. 

The Sligo striker has had to show serious patience and dogged determination to work his way back towards a first-team appearance that has, at times over the past three years, looked unlikely. Kenny spent the past two seasons back in the League of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers winning a Premier Division title in 2023 before enjoying a stellar 2024 campaign in which he scored 13 league goals and seven in eight games during the Tallaght side's impressive European campaign. 

On Saturday in the Highlands, the 21-year-old was handed a spot among the Celtic substitutes and with the game still very much in the balance, given his opportunity by Brendan Rodgers. Kenny and fellow sub Luke McCowan made an instant impact as Kyogo Furuhashi put Celtic back in front just eight minutes after the pair's introduction. 

Stand-in winger Furuhashi showed his adaptability by netting an impressive double. The centre-forward started outside of Adam Idah on the right after Brendan 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 McCowan both netted deep in stoppage time, the fourth set up by Kenny, to add some gloss to the scoreline as Celtic moved 18 points clear at the top of the William Hill 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 Irishman 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.

On 73 minutes, Rodgers brought on McCowan and Kenny for a debut following the prolific season with Shamrock Rovers but he shot straight at Amissah from 10 yards with his first chance.

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 soon slotted home eight minutes into stoppage time after some determined work from Kenny. 

Ross County: Amissah, Wright, Lopata (Grieves 53), Campbell, Brown, Randall (Loturi 85), Kenneh (White 46), Nisbet (Allardice 85), Harmon, Chilvers, Hale (Phillips 46). Subs: Hamilton, Lamie, Joshua Reid, Telfer. 

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle (Scales 85), McGregor, Yang, Engels, Hatate (McCowan 73), Furuhashi, Idah (Kenny 73). Subs: Sinisalo, Taylor, Bernardo, Montgomery, Ralston, Cummings. 

Referee: Matthew MacDermid (Scotland)