Johnny Kenny says goodbye to Shamrock Rovers after Celtic promote him for action

GOODBYE: Johnny Kenny has bid farewell to Shamrock Rovers after the prospect of a third loan spell from Celtic to Tallaght was scotched by Brendan Rodgers. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Johnny Kenny has bid farewell to Shamrock Rovers after the prospect of a third loan spell from Celtic to Tallaght was scotched by Brendan Rodgers.

Kenny returned to his parent club on January 1, making his debut a few days later in the Cup game against Ross County.

Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was seeking to have the services of Kenny for his quest to regain the title they relinquished to Shelbourne, as well as the Uefa Conference League playoff against Molde on February 13 and 20, but Celtic want the Sligo native onboard for the a busy second half of the season.

The former Ireland U21 striker moved to Scotland on a five-year deal from his local club Sligo Rovers in January 2022 and after three loan spells, he is finally making headway at Parkhead.

“Been a pleasure to be able to play for Shamrock Rovers the past two seasons,” wrote Kenny on his X account.

“I’d like to thank the manager his staff, the fans and my teammates for making everything possible for me over the last two years. Times I wil never forget. Thank you.”

Had the Bhoys signed a reinforcement to their array of attackers, including Adam Idah, before Monday night’s transfer deadline, they might have been amenable to loaning him.

Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren failed in a deadline day swoop for the 22-year-old while Rovers had up to Thursday to register Kenny with Uefa, as the Irish transfer window doesn’t close until February 22.

Kenny netted 13 league goals for Rovers in 2024, as well as seven in Europe, including crucial strikes in their Conference League wins over TNS and Borac. He was also feted with the club's Young Player of the Year award.

“Johnny Kenny will be here,” confirmed Rodgers on Tuesday, conscious of a campaign that entails his side facing Bayern Munich next Wednesday in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

“I can see in the three weeks or so he’s been training with us, and the coaches like John Kenny who have been here before, they see a real difference in him from his experience going back playing with Shamrock Rovers - in Europe.

“Johnny is a brilliant finisher, physically in a good place, so I’m now putting my time into him and working with him and seeing how he develops now because he’s a natural finisher in the box.

"There’s no doubt about that’s what we’ll look to do.”