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Have Celtic made a decision on the futures of two young strikers? We’ll soon find out.

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Image for Have Celtic made a decision on the futures of two young strikers? We’ll soon find out.

The news that Celtic are planning to bring Johnny Kenny back to the club to assess him, following his scoring exploits in Ireland and particularly in the Europa League, is not surprising in the slightest. He’s a player who has always been highly rated by those within the club, and it’s no wonder Brendan Rodgers wants a proper look at him.

Kenny is 21, 6’1”, strong, fast, aggressive, and knows how to find the back of the net. Rodgers is likely pleased to see that this young man matches his required skill set. The manager has been clear that he wants a third striker at the club, and recalling Kenny suggests he believes the player might be the right fit.

This move is intriguing for several reasons. Firstly, it likely means that the speculation about signing a striker in January is erroneous. Certain journalists may find themselves with egg on their faces after confidently predicting such a move. This suggests that Celtic’s January transfer priorities are not aligned with those expectations. We already know a winger is on the agenda because Rodgers himself confirmed it. Beyond that, no one can say with certainty what else the club is planning.

I haven’t seen enough of Kenny to confidently say whether he’s the man for the job, but the manager and those at the club have obviously been impressed by his performances for Shamrock Rovers. Over the last two seasons, his loan spell has helped him sharpen his game and grow as a player. If those within the club believe he’s ready, that’s good enough for me. It’s a judgement we can trust.

Kenny’s trajectory is a textbook example of what a young player at Celtic must do to be taken seriously. He’s stuck with the club, taken advantage of his loan opportunities, and returned with experience and confidence. This pathway has worked well for academy players like Callum McGregor, and for signings like Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie, both of whom benefited greatly from extended loan spells before making an impact in the first team. The same applies to Liam Scales, who became a first-team contender after his time at Aberdeen.

However, there’s another layer to this decision—if indeed it has been finalised—and it concerns one of our academy players, Daniel Cummings. Cummings, a striker who was reportedly set for promotion to the first-team squad, is out of contract at the end of the season. Could Kenny’s recall indicate doubts about Cummings’ future at the club? Has the club spoken to him and concluded he’s unlikely to commit? Or perhaps the club hasn’t offered him a contract and doesn’t plan to?

It’s possible that Celtic are simply covering their bases, which would be both wise and sensible. Kenny, a few years older than Cummings, now has valuable experience and could be seen as closer to being the finished article. This doesn’t necessarily mean Cummings won’t stay. If he does, he may follow a similar pathway, going out on loan to gain first-team experience. That, too, would make perfect sense.

This situation will be one to watch. There’s clearly something happening behind the scenes, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Rodgers sees Kenny as the better option right now. Kenny’s commitment and the development he’s shown during his loan spell could make him the preferred choice.

Of course, this is all speculation for now. It doesn’t mean I’m leaning one way or the other, nor does it confirm that the club has made any final decisions. But it’s worth considering whether the timing and circumstances are coincidental or interconnected. We’ll find out soon enough.

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