'It's my dream to play for Celtic' - Hoops daft star reveals exactly when he's coming home after 'talks' with club

Johnny Kenny revealed January 3 is the day he's going back to Celtic to make his mark under Brendan Rodgers.

The Irish striker was recruited by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022 but has only ever been a peripheral figure, at best, as far as the Hoops first-team is concerned. He had an underwhelming loan spell at Queen's Park and had appeared close to being ushered out the door. But some stunning form for Shamrock Rovers, where he is on loan currently, has changed all that.

He's netted seven goals in eight games to start this season and no-one has scored more than his five in the Conference League. He'll get the chance to grab even more headlines with a glamour Euro clash with Chelsea this Thursday, after which he's set to return to Parkhead where he'll be assessed by Rodgers, who may see him as the elusive third striker to offer depth beyond Kyogo and Adam Idah.

And he says January 3, the day after the Hoops play Rangers at Ibrox, is his big day. He said: “I spoke to Celtic. I’m returning to pre-season on January 3 and we’ll see where that takes us. It’s my dream to play for Celtic and hopefully I get that in January, time will tell. One hundred per cent, yeah. The goals in Europe are probably worth two or three in the league. I haven’t done myself any harm but it’s over now (after Chelsea) and come January 3, I need to impress at Celtic.

“It’s my dream to play for Celtic but I’ll take it from there. I have really enjoyed my football here (at Rovers), even last year when things weren’t going well.

“I’ll just enjoy the glamour tie next week and Christmas with my family and see what January brings. It’s up to me when I go back to take it a step further and hopefully get my chance.”

Kenny's return, and whether he