Johnny Kenny hoping to follow Liam Scales’ lead into Celtic first team

Johnny Kenny was watching from the stands as Liam Scales showcased his quality in Celtic’s crunch Champions League clash against Lazio recently

Johnny Kenny was watching from the stands as Liam Scales showcased his quality in Celtic’s crunch Champions League clash against Lazio recently.

Not only did the performance secure Scales, who is Kenny’s former clubmate and housemate from their time together in Glasgow, a place in the Ireland senior squad this week but it also provided the current Shamrock Rovers midfielder – on loan from Celtic – with the greatest motivation he could ask for.

“It’s a real appetite, seeing a player coming from Shamrock Rovers, where I am now, and in two years he’s playing in the Champions League for Celtic. It’s a dream,” began Kenny.

“I brought Rory Gaffney and Lee Grace to the game with me. We were all jealous of him standing there when the Champions League music came on. It’s the biggest appetiser I have ever had.

“He (Rovers’ manager Stephen Bradley) wants to keep me and reckons that’s best for my development, so we’ll just see what Celtic think.

“I think I want to go back myself, get as fit as possible, get ready, get in training and hopefully impress the new manager. When I was there it was Ange (Postecoglou), and Brendan (Rodgers) is there now so I just want to get in and try to impress him.”

But for now, his focus is on the Republic of Ireland U21s and while they may have made the perfect start to their Euro 2025 qualification campaign, the opening round of fixtures brought mixed emotions for Kenny.

The forward played the majority of Ireland’s dramatic come-from-behind victory against Turkey in their first outing although he was watching from the bench as his replacement Aidomo Emakhu fired home the winner deep into added time.

But his earlier than hoped for withdrawal wasn’t for tactical reasons. Instead, it was for a hamstring injury that would also rule him out of the young Boys in Green’s more straight-forward triumph over San Marino four days later and Rovers’ last three matches also.

The Sligo native looked certain to miss the U21’s crucial upcoming qualifier away to Latvia on Friday afternoon (kick-off is at 1pm) having only just returned to the Hoops’ matchday squad where he remained an unused substitute for their win against Shelbourne.

But despite his lack of minutes in recent weeks, manager Jim Crawford has shown the ultimate sign of faith in the talented youngster, something which is very much appreciated by Kenny.

“I’d fully understand if he did leave me out because I had not played since the Turkey game,” he admitted.

“I was quite worried to be honest that I wouldn’t be involved in this squad, but I was delighted to see I was in it.

“It means a lot, he could have left me out, it would have been understandable, other players have played and I haven’t played but I’m very thankful to Jim for including me.

“I think I’ll be ready to hit the ground running but obviously games would help your sharpness. But I wasn’t out that long and think I’ll be ready.

“It’s been a brilliant start to the campaign. We couldn’t have done much more and hopefully top it off this week with another win.”