Key Points
- Johnny Kenny, the Irish striker on loan from Celtic to Bolton Wanderers, believes he will secure a double triumph this season: a Scottish Premiership winners' medal with Celtic and promotion with Bolton via the League One playoffs.
- Kenny has scored in his last four games for Bolton, helping the Trotters seal a playoff spot in League One.
- He exited Celtic Parkhead in January 2026 due to limited game time prospects, despite earlier opportunities under Brendan Rodgers and initially Martin O'Neill.
- The former Sligo Rovers star is confident Celtic will win a tight three-way title race against Hearts and Rangers, citing their experience in the dressing room and dugout.
- Kenny expressed no regrets about his season, noting he seized opportunities at Celtic before a deadline-day striker signing reduced his minutes, yet he performed well.
- Rodgers treated Kenny "like a son," according to the player, highlighting a personal bond during his time at Celtic.
- Kenny aims to focus on scoring for Bolton to achieve promotion back to the Championship, then return to Celtic in the summer with renewed drive.
Bolton (Bolton Today) April 23, 2026 - Johnny Kenny, the Celtic loanee thriving at Bolton Wanderers, has opened up about his departure from Parkhead, revealing a pivotal moment that led to his January loan move and praising Brendan Rodgers for treating him like a son.
Kenny firmly believes a personal double awaits him this season—a Premiership winners' medal from Celtic and promotion with Bolton. The 22-year-old Irishman left Celtic in January amid limited prospects for game time in Glasgow, despite a promising run under manager Brendan Rodgers and interim boss Martin O'Neill.
As reported by Keith Jackson of Daily Record, Kenny has now netted in his last four outings for the Trotters, who clinched a League One playoff place.
"I fully believe Celtic have the winners in the dressing room and have the winners in the dug-out,"
Kenny stated.
The former Sligo Rovers star pinpointed the end of August 2025, when Celtic signed a striker on deadline day, as the turning point.
"At the end of August, when we signed a striker on deadline day, I thought I was going to struggle for minutes but I got opportunities, and I’ve done pretty well,"
He admitted.
Kenny harbours no regrets, expressing determination to aid Bolton's promotion push before returning to Celtic.
"But I don’t want to look too far ahead. I’d love to get promoted here and win up there for a perfect season. For now, I just want to score goals and get this club back to the Championship and then hopefully in the summer go back in with a burning desire to pick up where I left off,"
he said.
Who is Johnny Kenny and What Led to His Celtic Loan Exit?
Johnny Kenny joined Celtic from Sligo Rovers in 2022, making 31 appearances and scoring seven goals before his loan to Bolton Wanderers in February 2026.
As confirmed by journalist David Sneyd in Celts Are Here, Kenny's loan exit followed limited minutes this season, mostly from the bench or due to injuries, despite interest from Danish and German clubs which he rejected.
The truth triggering his departure, per Kenny in the Daily Record, was the arrival of a new striker at Celtic on deadline day last August, dimming his prospects despite prior chances under Rodgers and O'Neill.
Bolton had pursued Kenny last summer but he opted for Celtic; this winter, manager Steven Schumacher acted swiftly once Celtic allowed the loan. Schumacher told Bolton's official site:
“He has since played regularly and scored goals at a high level, so will be a big addition for us. We didn’t think he would be available during this window, but once we were made aware Celtic would allow him to leave on loan, we acted really quickly to get the deal done.”
Kenny himself said on Bolton's site:
"I was aware there had been interest, and Bolton made several attempts to contact me over the summer. However, I wanted to seize the opportunity at Celtic, and I believe I have done so over the last six months. I've gained substantial experience playing at Celtic in front of a fantastic crowd every week, and I aim to bring that experience here and contribute to the club's progress."
Why Did Game Time Dry Up at Celtic?
Kenny enjoyed a run under Rodgers but saw minutes limited post-deadline signing. He netted six goals in 22 games this term before departing.
Under interim Martin O'Neill, Kenny scored his first two goals, saying to BBC Sport: "Brendan Rodgers changed my life," but hoped the brace would spur him in big fixtures like the Old Firm.
How Did Brendan Rodgers Treat Johnny Kenny?
Kenny credits Rodgers with paternal care. The title reveals Rodgers "treated him like a son," fostering a close bond during Kenny's time at Parkhead.
In a BBC interview post-Falkirk win, Kenny said Rodgers "changed my life," highlighting transformative support despite limited starts.
Rodgers gave Kenny opportunities amid a competitive forward line, building his confidence before the loan.
What is Johnny Kenny's Form Like at Bolton Wanderers?
Since joining Bolton on loan until season's end, Kenny has excelled, scoring in four straight games.
VideoCelts reported he made it three in three with a goal in a 5-1 win over Stevenage, putting Bolton 3-1 up after 55 seconds.
A Facebook post from Bolton noted:
"Johnny Kenny is at it again! The striker has just bagged a lovely finish for Bolton Wanderers, making it three goals in his last three games."
This form secured Bolton's League One playoffs.
Does Kenny see a big gap between the Scottish Premiership and League One?
Kenny downplayed differences, telling Daily Record:
“I wouldn’t say that it’s a lot different from the Scottish Premiership. I’ve been playing at Celtic Park now for the last year and at other stadiums in Scotland. We’re going to 60,000 at Celtic Park, and now we’re coming here. I don’t know what there is here, 3,000, 4,000…”
The Celtic Star called this "disrespecting the Scottish game," but Kenny focused on adaptation smoothness.
Can Bolton Secure Promotion and Will Celtic Win the Premiership?
Kenny backs Bolton for playoff success and return to Championship. He eyes a "perfect season" with promotion then Celtic silverware.
For Celtic, he predicts victory in a "nail-biting three-way race with Hearts and Rangers" via experience. "Celtic have the winners in the dressing room and have the winners in the dug-out," per Daily Record.
Bolton nearly signed Kenny permanently but Celtic's £1m price stalled it; the loan allows a showcase.
Kenny rejected continental moves for Bolton, prioritising English football.
What Are Kenny's Future Plans?
Post-promotion, Kenny plans Celtic return.
"Hopefully, in the summer go back in with a burning desire to pick up where I left off,"
he told Daily Record.
No regrets: opportunities grasped at Celtic, now fuelling Bolton charge.
Schumacher praised Kenny, Bolton's seventh winter signing.
Kenny's trajectory shifted decisively last August, but his ambitions remain dual-focused.