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It's been a head-spinning week for Johnny Kenny , watching the man who changed his life head out the door and the man he cheered on for Ireland coming in the other way. A couple of goals against Falkirk helped prevent a restless night – and instead he has been left dreaming about becoming a Old Firm Hampden hero. It’s been a weird couple of days. The departure of Brendan Rodgers caused shockwaves in the squad and the return of Martin O’Neill was another jaw dropping revelation. But this game waits for no man and Celtic had to get back to business against Falkirk to get the title race back on track – and restore some kind of sense ahead of the Premier Sports Cup semi-final showdown with Rangers. Kenny’s brace against the Bairns was just the ticket and he’s now bang in the frame to start the derby clash, even with Daizen Maeda back fit. And the 22-year-old Irish hitman is eying a place in the history books. Kenny said: “One hundred percent. It's probably the biggest fixture in world football and it can create heroes. “A few years ago Adam Idah came in and scored a big goal against them in the Scottish Cup Final (in 2024). “Hopefully I can replicate something like that. “It’s a massive game and it would be a marker put down by us to get into another cup final. “Results haven’t been great recently but we want to win games, that’s what we are here to do. “It would put us into another final and it’s against our rivals. People will say we haven’t been great in the last few weeks and this can be a statement victory come Sunday.” It would be a positive end to a traumatic week. Kenny admitted Rodgers’s resignation hit hard. He said: “Tuesday was obviously a hectic day. It was disappointing. Since I’ve been here, it’s always been Brendan. “It was tough. It’s the first time I’ve lost a manager in my career, so it was strange around the training ground. “We knew we had to come together and get a good result. “Brendan changed my life and changed my career. I’ll be forever grateful for that. “But obviously he’s gone now and we need to battle on.” It was job done against Falkirk and it helped the Rodgers hole has been filled by such a huge character. Kenny was still in his buggy when O’Neill’s first spell at Celts ended in 2025 but the striker didn’t need much introduction. He said: “I knew he was very successful here, but that’s about it. I would have been very young when he was in charge of the club before. “He obviously managed Ireland to some big moments (from 2013-2018) so while I don’t know a lot about him, I know a fair bit. “He’s so well respected and it’s fully deserved. He’s done so much for this football club and hopefully he can bring that to us in the next few games and forever long he’s here.” The Falkirk win was much needed, not just in terms of points but in recapturing some kind of feel good factor around the club amid the anti-board protests and everything else. The Hoops were on the front foot, it was more direct and the goals flowed a lot easier than it has for much of this season so far. A tougher test lies in waiting at Hampden, but it was a start, and some breathing space while the Parkhead suits conduct the search for a new long-term managerial appointment. Kenny said: “At Celtic there is always pressure no matter who the manager is or what the style of play might be. “We just need to answer that pressure, put in big performances and get results. “The manager just said to go out and be free – but that we needed to win. Simple as that. Thankfully we did.” It was also much needed for Kenny, after stepping in for the injured Kelechi Iheanacho and missing a raft of chances in recent weeks. The former Shamrock Rovers goal machine notched against Livingston earlier in the campaign and got a couple last term, but he’s still had his doubters. Confidence is soaring again though and Kenny said: “It was brilliant. It’s obviously great to get two goals in any game. I felt like it was coming in my last performance, but I just didn’t manage to hit the net. “But thankfully it did against Falkirk. “It felt brilliant. We needed that result. The fans really got behind us.” Kenny is convinced he can crack it if O’Neill and no.2 Shaun Maloney keep the faith for Hampden this weekend. He said: “Definitely. I’d like to think so. It was key for me to get the goals as the longer it goes on… But having got the goals the other night, hopefully it can spur me on. “It’s a massive boost for me. I don’t think anyone knows what it means. “You don’t want to go on not scoring. Hopefully I can take this in to Sunday. “It would be one of the biggest games of my career to start. A Glasgow Derby against in a semi-final of a cup. So, hopefully, yeah. “Every player is desperate to be on the team sheet every week and it’s no different for me. "I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard and hopefully delivering on the pitch.”
