Johnny Kenny F Shamrock Rovers b.2003

[Jd2793]

im gone at someone blaming celtic for barry coffeys lack of progress. talk to any lads who played against him at schoolboy level and they all say the ssame. good player but youd never have said he was celtic level. lee oconnor had a lot more pedigree underage here than coffey. coffey is LOI at very best. more blame should be planted at uniteds door than celtics for oconnor. they had him in his formative years, celtic took a punt on him when he became a free agent.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Honestly haven't read the full thread, page 1 is enough, but some of the stuff from CSAD etc would make you pull your hair out.

Scotland has a 4 division senior league set up. With a double tier below it (highland/lowland) to feed in to it. These leagues are bursting with full time career pros. And academy trained youngsters who didn't make the big SPL sides as seniors for whatever reason.

But there is an inference on here that a level like the Scottish Championship is pub football and fellas who have scored in the the LOI (half the the premier teams part time?) should be walking it. Or it's Celtics fault?

Watch something like the Open Goal Broomhill documentaries to get a feel for lower league Scottish football. In Ireland we have this crazy snobbish attitude towards their game while we have an absolute shambles of a system while they have a massive pyramid covering the whole country and a thriving junior scene to boot.

[Poor Student]

Noticed that Graham Carey was playing against Celtic today for St Johnstone. I was trying to think who is the highest profile Celtic cast off playing their trade currently. If you exclude Robertson at Liverpool, who was cut very early at boys level I'm thinking it's maybe Jackson Irvine, who I don't think would even make the current Celtic team today. You either subscribe to the theory that Celtic ruin these players' development so bad that they never resurface or the players who don't make it just aren't very good. If you go down through the squads of most SPFL Premier clubs you'll find teams peppered with various players who didn't make the grade at Celtic over the years. Celtic are also increasingly losing top prospects to English clubs like Ben Doak to Liverpool and Hjelde to Leeds before they even make the first team as they can be offered far more generous terms by EPL clubs. You can be sure any EPL club that was so inclined could have beaten Celtic to the signatures of the Irish lads if they so desired. I do accept that on an individual basis a player might decide they have a better chance of getting a first team spot like Moussa Dembele, but more often than not they'll be losing out on wages. Chances are if Celtic have come out on top then the player is not being sought or particularly valued by bigger English clubs.

[tetsujin1979]

There's Ireland U19 player Frankie deane at Burnley as well, was tipped for the first team at Celtic before he moved in the summer
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/deane-deal-for-frankie

[samhaydenjr]

Honestly haven't read the full thread, page 1 is enough, but some of the stuff from CSAD etc would make you pull your hair out.

Scotland has a 4 division senior league set up. With a double tier below it (highland/lowland) to feed in to it. These leagues are bursting with full time career pros. And academy trained youngsters who didn't make the big SPL sides as seniors for whatever reason.

But there is an inference on here that a level like the Scottish Championship is pub football and fellas who have scored in the the LOI (half the the premier teams part time?) should be walking it. Or it's Celtics fault?

Watch something like the Open Goal Broomhill documentaries to get a feel for lower league Scottish football. In Ireland we have this crazy snobbish attitude towards their game while we have an absolute shambles of a system while they have a massive pyramid covering the whole country and a thriving junior scene to boot.

While, yes, saying it's pub football that is way below LOI level is overstating it, based on average attendances in 2022, they are comparable. And it's not the fortunes of regular LOI players we're talking about - it's prospective Irish internationals we're concerned about. If they're at Celtic and not considered good enough to break into the first team immediately, all Celtic can offer them is Celtic B, playing against players ranked as about the 1000th-1500th best players in Scotland or a loan to a league around the same level as the LOI. Staying for a middling EPL club, they get to play against some of the top players in their age group in the world or there's the potential for a loan to League One, which is definitely a couple of cuts above LOI.

And, yes, perhaps the likes of Jonathan Afolabi and Barry Coffey were never going to be big stars, but Luca Connell went there as a burgeoning Championship/League One level player, spent two seasons below LOI level, when he should have been establishing himself as a high-level pro. And it appeared that he was overhyped. But he's now gone to a big League One club and immediately established him. Likewise Armstrong Oko-Flex - goes to Celtic as a highly regarded teen. Three years and a couple of substitute appearances later, you'd be forgiven for writing him off - so he goes to West Ham, goes into their academy and eighteen months later he's getting regular Championship football.

So basically, Celtic's development pathway for youngsters is not great - in fact, if LOI clubs can continue to build attendances to make the league full-time, that might become a better option for young Irish players, if it isn't already

[CSAD]

Honestly haven't read the full thread, page 1 is enough, but some of the stuff from CSAD etc would make you pull your hair out.

Scotland has a 4 division senior league set up. With a double tier below it (highland/lowland) to feed in to it. These leagues are bursting with full time career pros. And academy trained youngsters who didn't make the big SPL sides as seniors for whatever reason.

But there is an inference on here that a level like the Scottish Championship is pub football and fellas who have scored in the the LOI (half the the premier teams part time?) should be walking it. Or it's Celtics fault?

Watch something like the Open Goal Broomhill documentaries to get a feel for lower league Scottish football. In Ireland we have this crazy snobbish attitude towards their game while we have an absolute shambles of a system while they have a massive pyramid covering the whole country and a thriving junior scene to boot.

This was sort of the reason I gave up on this discussion, not only am I debating with impartial Celtic fans I’m also debating with illiterate idiots who can’t see to grasp the English language so must make things up that I said.

Point to at what point I said Kenny should be walking the championship or at least acknowledge that you are trying to put words in my mouth, then maybe I’ll see sense in continuing this discussion.

I thought about correcting you but when you threw in the “thriving junior scene” in j realized it was a pointless task.

[pineapple stu]

all Celtic can offer them is Celtic B, playing against players ranked as about the 1000th-1500th best players in Scotland or a loan to a league around the same level as the LOI.
Right now, Celtic have players on loan at Aberdeen (Scales), Sturm Graz, Utrecht and Vitoria Guimares, all teams in a stronger league than the LoI

[elatedscum]

im gone at someone blaming celtic for barry coffeys lack of progress. talk to any lads who played against him at schoolboy level and they all say the ssame. good player but youd never have said he was celtic level. lee oconnor had a lot more pedigree underage here than coffey. coffey is LOI at very best

i literally said he was almost never going to be at celtic's level. my point is if he went to someone like stoke for example, he'd be a far better footballer now than he is for signing at Celtic. Celtic is just a terrible environment for young players to develop.



Barry Coffey was probably never going to be a guy who made any kind of breakthrough but the outcome was still less than the original talent justified.

in player development, there's a concept of the percentile outcomes of individual players. so let's imagine you have a good young player, say 15 years old, and you clone him 100 times and you send 1 clone to 100 different clubs. 6 years later, you check back in on all 100 clones and how they're doing in the game and how good a player they are. imagine it's a player like evan ferguson, his 1st percentile outcome is probably a top premier league striker and his 99th percentile outcome is retired or playing leinster senior league by 25. maybe his 50th percentile outcome is something similar to shane long's career.

it's particularly useful when considering big countries like France, England, Spain, Germany etc. where you might have 500 really talented footballers at a young age in any given year - and ensuring that the academies and coaching and all the development structures are good means suddenly you start producing far more elite footballers.

haaland might be the first percentile outcome of his talent (so if you cloned a 16 year old Haaland 100 times, the best one might be the one that we have now), odegaard in comparison, might be the 50th. there's players who have a really wide range of outcomes (low floor, high ceiling) and other players who's outcomes are more defined (high floor, low ceiling).

it's my belief that when a irish teenager signs for celtic, they're generally ending up with the 70th or 80th or 90th percentile outcome, rather than the 50th or better.

And to back to Barry Coffey, even if his first percentile outcome for his career was a championship footballer, and his fiftieth percentile outcome was someone like Gary O'Neill - I still think Celtic underdelivered and after 5 years under contract with them, we ended up with the 70th percentile outcome.

Do you honestly have any confidence that had Bazunu signed for Celtic rather than City, that he'd be starting for them? Or the same with Knight and Omobamidele? I really think they wouldn't. Nathan Collins probably would (he's a high floor, high ceiling guy), he was always going to reach their level, but that's just how they end up producing someone like Tierney.

[Bottle of Tonic]

This was sort of the reason I gave up on this discussion, not only am I debating with impartial Celtic fans I’m also debating with illiterate idiots who can’t see to grasp the English language so must make things up that I said.

Point to at what point I said Kenny should be walking the championship or at least acknowledge that you are trying to put words in my mouth, then maybe I’ll see sense in continuing this discussion.

I thought about correcting you but when you threw in the “thriving junior scene” in j realized it was a pointless task.

You have a shocking posting style CSAD. I'd really hope you don't across that way in person. There's little need for your aggressive, condescending style amongst a few lads who just chat football.

Anyway FWIW, my entire post wasn't directed at you. There's a few others with a poor opinion on Scottish Football. I myself am no great supporter of it. And the problems of youth development there (celtic included) are too wide for me to discuss here, tapping on a phone. I would merely point out that they have a mature structure and system that puts ours to shame and its no surprise if one of our young players goes over there and is out competed.

I would have no problem agreeing that if you are not in Celtics first team squad and are 17+ it's not a good place to be. In my opinion though, it's almost all up to the player to beat his direct opponents and further his own career.

[Poor Student]

Likewise Armstrong Oko-Flex - goes to Celtic as a highly regarded teen. Three years and a couple of substitute appearances later, you'd be forgiven for writing him off - so he goes to West Ham, goes into their academy and eighteen months later he's getting regular Championship football.



I've posted several times on here but his attitude was known to stink and he got frozen out for this: https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/scottish-football/celtic-fc/celtic-player-slammed-saying-eight-21929191 . He's a lucky boy to get picked up by an EPL club after that.

[CSAD]

You have a shocking posting style CSAD. I'd really hope you don't across that way in person. There's little need for your aggressive, condescending style amongst a few lads who just chat football.

Anyway FWIW, my entire post wasn't directed at you. There's a few others with a poor opinion on Scottish Football. I myself am no great supporter of it. And the problems of youth development there (celtic included) are too wide for me to discuss here, tapping on a phone. I would merely point out that they have a mature structure and system that puts ours to shame and its no surprise if one of our young players goes over there and is out competed.

I would have no problem agreeing that if you are not in Celtics first team squad and are 17+ it's not a good place to be. In my opinion though, it's almost all up to the player to beat his direct opponents and further his own career.

Face the wall please ?

Scan through the thread and point to one comment where someone said that Kenny would cruise through the championship, just one please. If you can’t then please don’t put words in peoples mouths as you lose any sort of credibility you were trying to create.

Ah you see there lies the issue, all bar Kenny went to Celtic from English academies…so what you are saying is Scotland is more competitive than England as most ended up becoming worse players than when they arrived… Johnny Kenny is the only kid that went from the LOI to Celtic. You are now at risk of getting side tracked like so many do on this forum by talking about something that ultimately doesn’t matter a whole lot. You don’t need to blow smoke up Scotland’s ass, they do a great job of that themselves. The point of the matter is Scotland is not a good place for young players to develop and any young talent would be better off going to England or Europe.

It’s not a good place to be full stop, hopefully Lawal and Kenny start negotiating moves out of Celtic for next season and as soon as he can Vata does likewise.

Also if it’s a good place to be at 17+ then do me a favour, look at Scotland’s most recent u21 squad and list me the amount of Celtic players named, I’ll save you the time it’s 0, maybe the Scottish players agents know all too well about how poor a place Celtic is for developing players and have rightly advised their players to go elsewhere.

[tetsujin1979]

Take a look at their u19 and u17 squads. Celtic have more players in both than any other club

[CSAD]

Take a look at their u19 and u17 squads. Celtic have more players in both than any other club

That’s not the point though, the point is how bad Celtic are at bringing players through to senior level. That is the most crucial part of development when it comes to u21 level which is why it pretty eye opening now so few Scottish players stay after u19s.

If you look at all our players who went to a Celtic, it’s no coincidence that almost all started regressing as soon as they went past u19 level. By which point any decent Scottish prospect will have gotten the f$&k out of there, our players should take a leaf out of their book.

[Poor Student]

Take a look at their u19 and u17 squads. Celtic have more players in both than any other club

There's also Liam Morrisson and Ben Doak in the Scottish U21s who were recently poached by Bayern and Liverpool recently and Montgomery who is on loan at St Johnstone.

[CSAD]

There's also Liam Morrisson and Ben Doak in the Scottish U21s who were recently poached by Bayern and Liverpool recently and Montgomery who is on loan at St Johnstone.

So to clarify two players you mentioned like I said left Celtic as soon as they legally could.

You mean the Adam Montgomery who isnt good enough to play for the Scotland u21s.

I don’t see how this helps Celtic’s argument for developing youth.

[John83]

Mod warning: without calling out any one poster, please keep the discussion calm and civil.

We're also very off topic. If the suitability of Celtic as a destination for young players is a significant discussion, this is the wrong thread and even subforum for it.

I've added his details to the thread title. I can't find anything about the Shams move. Has that been confirmed?

[ontheotherhand]

Mod warning: without calling out any one poster, please keep the discussion calm and civil.

We're also very off topic. If the suitability of Celtic as a destination for young players is a significant discussion, this is the wrong thread and even subforum for it.

I've added his details to the thread title. I can't find anything about the Shams move. Has that been confirmed?

Nothing confirmed that I know of.

[samhaydenjr]

Mod warning: without calling out any one poster, please keep the discussion calm and civil.

We're also very off topic. If the suitability of Celtic as a destination for young players is a significant discussion, this is the wrong thread and even subforum for it.

I've added his details to the thread title. I can't find anything about the Shams move. Has that been confirmed?

Might want to edit that a little - for a moment, I thought he had received a plum move to a West London Championship club, not a recently amateur Scottish Championship team.

On the downside, if my earlier argument about The Scottish Championship being of a similar standard to the LOI, then it doesn't bode well that he's only had 300 minutes of playing time so far, spread over 12 games

[Eminence Grise]

Mod warning: without calling out any one poster, please keep the discussion calm and civil.


Thanks, John. The last few pages read like not all the sherry went into the trifle...

[tommy_c12000]

Shams move not official yet.https://m.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/sport/soccer/disappointment-for-sligo-rovers-as-shamrock-rovers-look-set-to-win-the-race-for-johnny-kenny-42232486.html Reliable source from LOI standpoint. Coyle didn’t bring him on in latest game, so writing on the wall for sure he’ll be leaving QP.

[CSAD]

Might want to edit that a little - for a moment, I thought he had received a plum move to a West London Championship club, not a recently amateur Scottish Championship team.

On the downside, if my earlier argument about The Scottish Championship being of a similar standard to the LOI, then it doesn't bode well that he's only had 300 minutes of playing time so far, spread over 12 games


Well firstly there isn’t an argument, you’d just be talking nonsense to start with.

Secondly that point would make sense if Kenny went straight from the LOI to QP but no he spent nearly a year at Celtic beforehand. And in that time he went from scoring 11 goals in 34 LOI games to making no impact at Scottish championship level…doesn’t reflect very well in Celtic youth development does it? In fact that looks like a clear regression, a common trend at Celtic it seems.

[CSAD]

Thanks, John. The last few pages read like not all the sherry went into the trifle...

Trying to reason with Celtic fans is like trying to reason with a chimpanzee, pointless. Lesson learnt from this thread.

[Eminence Grise]

Whoosh.

[Jd2793]

Trying to reason with Celtic fans is like trying to reason with a chimpanzee, pointless. Lesson learnt from this thread.

resorting to insults, very nice. i have never supported celtic but keep on trying. lets see how kenny does back in LOI. if hes still a 1 in 3 goalscorer then celtic have once again signed a guy with not enough upside for the level they need.

[CSAD]

resorting to insults, very nice. i have never supported celtic but keep on trying. lets see how kenny does back in LOI. if hes still a 1 in 3 goalscorer then celtic have once again signed a guy with not enough upside for the level they need.

Oh sorry if you feel insulted, just trying to be honest with you. Wait, if you aren’t a Celtic supporter how are you insulted?

Or Celtic have once again misused a young player. The clear regression from when he joined Celtic til now is clear evidence of this.

[tetsujin1979]

CSAD, knock it off
Last warning

[Poor Student]

Well firstly there isn’t an argument, you’d just be talking nonsense to start with.

Secondly that point would make sense if Kenny went straight from the LOI to QP but no he spent nearly a year at Celtic beforehand. And in that time he went from scoring 11 goals in 34 LOI games to making no impact at Scottish championship level…doesn’t reflect very well in Celtic youth development does it? In fact that looks like a clear regression, a common trend at Celtic it seems.

He was signed by Celtic in January 2022. Loaned out to Queen's Park, managed by Owen Coyle, in August, so not nearly a year beforehand. They're an ambitious attacking side scoring plenty of goals (average of 2 per game) and thus far Kenny has not got his name on the scoresheet.

[CSAD]

He was signed by Celtic in January 2022. Loaned out to Queen's Park, managed by Owen Coyle, in August, so not nearly a year beforehand. They're an ambitious attacking side scoring plenty of goals (average of 2 per game) and thus far Kenny has not got his name on the scoresheet.

So what has 8 months of development at Celtic done for him? In that 8 months comparing the regression from when he joined to where he is now is startling but unsurprising given Celtic’s record.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

So what has 8 months of development at Celtic done for him? In that 8 months comparing the regression from when he joined to where he is now is startling but unsurprising given Celtic’s record.

Maybe he hasn't settled well away from home? Maybe the LOI is a very weak league? Maybe the system didn't suit him at Queen's Park? There are a lot of variables but I think one things for certain, your dislike of Celtic is clouding your judgement on Johnny's 8 month spell in Scotland.

[CSAD]

Maybe he hasn't settled well away from home? Maybe the LOI is a very weak league? Maybe the system didn't suit him at Queen's Park? There are a lot of variables but I think one things for certain, your dislike of Celtic is clouding your judgement on Johnny's 8 month spell in Scotland.

If he’s loaned back to a LOI side could indicate many things but homesickness is potentially an option

Do I need to go into what his previous side did to a SPL side (aka a league higher than the team he’s struggling at) again? Plus it’s irrelevant because he went to QP after 8 months at Celtic so any struggle in that period is on them. Maybe playing in the 5th division for 8 months with the B side isn’t great preparation for the SPL or championship…

Maybe, tbh I don’t really care enough to watch QP.

Is it hatred or maybe just stating facts? The evidence is mounting up substantially and yet some Celtic fans on here refuse to acknowledge it, maybe take off your Celtic hat and try be impartial.

1. Irish player number 4 or 5 that’s gone backwards at Celtic

2. Little to no Celtic players in the starting XI who come from the academy (McGregor is the only one I can think of and even then that was 8 years ago)

3. Scottish u21s avoid Celtic like the plague

The evidence is all pointing in one direction and yet there are people on here that still refute the idea.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

If he’s loaned back to a LOI side could indicate many things but homesickness is potentially an option

Do I need to go into what his previous side did to a SPL side (aka a league higher than the team he’s struggling at) again? Plus it’s irrelevant because he went to QP after 8 months at Celtic so any struggle in that period is on them. Maybe playing in the 5th division for 8 months with the B side isn’t great preparation for the SPL or championship…

Maybe, tbh I don’t really care enough to watch QP.

Is it hatred or maybe just stating facts? The evidence is mounting up substantially and yet some Celtic fans on here refuse to acknowledge it, maybe take off your Celtic hat and try be impartial.

1. Irish player number 4 or 5 that’s gone backwards at Celtic

2. Little to no Celtic players in the starting XI who come from the academy (McGregor is the only one I can think of and even then that was 8 years ago)

3. Scottish u21s avoid Celtic like the plague

The evidence is all pointing in one direction and yet there are people on here that still refute the idea.

Calm down, I don't think there are many Celtic fans on here. Your points have been debunked already. As pointed out, there are numerous factors at play but it could just come down to players not being good enough. LOI is a very poor level to judge a player.

[CSAD]

Calm down, I don't think there are many Celtic fans on here. Your points have been debunked already. As pointed out, there are numerous factors at play but it could just come down to players not being good enough. LOI is a very poor level to judge a player.

Trust me I’m calm as anything. Just trying make my point in clear detail.

And that’s ********, I’m fairly certain there are plenty on here. Never seen so many people desperately defend a side like they do Celtic in light of all the evidence refuting their point, imagine if they were that passionate about Ireland! Is it numerous because people forget the other players who went to Celtic came from English academies, which surely even the most passionate Celtic fan can admit is a higher standard, who have equally struggled.

If he’s struggling in the championship after flying in the LOI then something has seriously gone wrong in the 8 months he has spent at Celtic. I would say him look to go back to Ireland and start again is probably an indication that he realizes he made a mistake signing for Celtic.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Trust me I’m calm as anything. Just trying make my point in clear detail.

And that’s ********, I’m fairly certain there are plenty on here. Never seen so many people desperately defend a side like they do Celtic in light of all the evidence refuting their point, imagine if they were that passionate about Ireland! Is it numerous because people forget the other players who went to Celtic came from English academies, which surely even the most passionate Celtic fan can admit is a higher standard, who have equally struggled.

If he’s struggling in the championship after flying in the LOI then something has seriously gone wrong in the 8 months he has spent at Celtic. I would say him look to go back to Ireland and start again is probably an indication that he realizes he made a mistake signing for Celtic.

Honestly, you don't seem calm. There isn't a conspiracy of Celtic fans grouping up on you to debunk your points. Every club signs players that don't make the breakthrough. It's just the reality. You can stomp your feet all you like but the facts outweigh your biased opinion.

[CSAD]

Honestly, you don't seem calm. There isn't a conspiracy of Celtic fans grouping up on you to debunk your points. Every club signs players that don't make the breakthrough. It's just the reality. You can stomp your feet all you like but the facts outweigh your biased opinion.

Sure thing, I’m not going to even go further on that point as I would just be arguing with you on it and wasting more time away from the actual point of the discussion.

Every club doesn’t have a success rate as abysmal as Celtic’s. People who are looking at Kenny and Irish players in general only are completely missing the point. And even using Kenny as an example, sending someone who spent a whole season as a starter at a top 3 LOI club to play in the Scottish 5th division, if that’s not an example of poor player development then what is? It should come as no surprise that he then struggles to make the step up to even championship level and completely undid any good work Sligo did with him.

It’s not a biased opinion, I pointed to you 3 pretty clear and valid points that back up what I’ve been saying and you still run around with your fingers in your ears denying it. How much more evidence do you need? Maybe just maybe I’m not the biased one here? Because I actually used facts to back up my argument but all you have is hypothetical possibilities, Surely the points I’ve laid out have one common denominator?

[ontheotherhand]

Mod warning: without calling out any one poster, please keep the discussion calm and civil.

We're also very off topic. If the suitability of Celtic as a destination for young players is a significant discussion, this is the wrong thread and even subforum for it.

I've added his details to the thread title. I can't find anything about the Shams move. Has that been confirmed?

Confirmed now.

[Jd2793]

good luck to the lad, hopefully it works out for him.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Sure thing, I’m not going to even go further on that point as I would just be arguing with you on it and wasting more time away from the actual point of the discussion.

Every club doesn’t have a success rate as abysmal as Celtic’s. People who are looking at Kenny and Irish players in general only are completely missing the point. And even using Kenny as an example, sending someone who spent a whole season as a starter at a top 3 LOI club to play in the Scottish 5th division, if that’s not an example of poor player development then what is? It should come as no surprise that he then struggles to make the step up to even championship level and completely undid any good work Sligo did with him.

It’s not a biased opinion, I pointed to you 3 pretty clear and valid points that back up what I’ve been saying and you still run around with your fingers in your ears denying it. How much more evidence do you need? Maybe just maybe I’m not the biased one here? Because I actually used facts to back up my argument but all you have is hypothetical possibilities, Surely the points I’ve laid out have one common denominator?

I think you need to re-read this thread alone. The points you raised have already been put to bed. Repeating them ad nauseum won't change that. You clearly have an issue with Celtic, nothing anyone can say will change your opinion and will just lead you to get more agitated. I think I'll do you and the forum a favour by not engaging with you.

[CSAD]

I think you need to re-read this thread alone. The points you raised have already been put to bed. Repeating them ad nauseum won't change that. You clearly have an issue with Celtic, nothing anyone can say will change your opinion and will just lead you to get more agitated. I think I'll do you and the forum a favour by not engaging with you.

Show me where they were put to bed? I can save you time and confirm it was never put to bed. I’m repeating it because it’s a point that was never addressed fully or answered sufficiently.

I do got an issue with how the club is ran as a whole, that should be made obvious, and nothing will change my opinion because there seems to little done to fix their issues. Celtic fans seem more happy to just point the finger and blame others rather than take a look in the mirror and ask questions of their own club, just look at their fans online, the most clueless fans I’ve come across and that’s saying something.

And there we go running away again without answering the questions I’ve laid out. Not for the first time either.

[nigel-harps1954]

Not about to read all of the rubbish posted on here the last few pages. But worth noting, in his interview with Shamrock Rovers TV today, he mentioned Shamrock Rovers was his choice of destination to 'start enjoying football again', and 'put a smile back on my face', which seems to suggest he's had a less than enjoyable time since leaving Sligo.

[John83]

Mod warning: CSAD and others, take the Celtic discussion elsewhere.

[JR89]

Not about to read all of the rubbish posted on here the last few pages. But worth noting, in his interview with Shamrock Rovers TV today, he mentioned Shamrock Rovers was his choice of destination to 'start enjoying football again', and 'put a smile back on my face', which seems to suggest he's had a less than enjoyable time since leaving Sligo.

Well he did have the worse possible start getting COVID after he moved over and then injured his knee so was out for about two months I believe. Then had to come back and play against pub teams in non league football.

[Acornvilla]

Does Johnny Kenny still qualify for this? It's difficult to really know where his level will be, but he was good again in Vienna last night, definitely improved a lot from the player he was last season, looking stronger, making better decisions, playing more consistently. He is pretty fast and strong, so now has the physicality for high level football I think, now that he's gotten his confidence up too.

Will be interesting to see what Celtic decide to do with him in January. Rovers want to keep him, but would Celtic want an SPL loan, or to possibly sell now while he's gotten a bunch of goals in Europe.

[tetsujin1979]

Technically the thread is for players in U21 competitions, e.g. Premier League 2 or U18 Premier League, and he's playing in senior tournaments.
Probably should have his own thread

[Acornvilla]

Technically the thread is for players in U21 competitions, e.g. Premier League 2 or U18 Premier League, and he's playing in senior tournaments.
Probably should have his own thread
Fair, I had a check and realized he didn't, but wasn't sure if he needed one :D

[Acornvilla]

Scored again tonight, handy header from 6 yards. I make that 6 goals in 8 European games now, 4 in the Conference League groups.

[Acornvilla]

2 goals and an assist in the end. 2nd goal was really well taken.

[elatedscum]

2 goals and an assist in the end. 2nd goal was really well taken.

Rovers looking a real force in europe, kinda mad that they didn't walk the league with the squad they have. Wasn't able to watch all the game but so many players look really really good from what i've seen.

[elatedscum]

it'll be interesting to see what happens come january. i know that farrugia and mandriou's contracts are both up, kenny's loan is due to expire, same as Darragh Burns and Markus Poom. transfermarkt says that Hoare (off to Pats), Towell (already gone) and Kavanagh's contracts are also expiring. There could well be more, as most of the players don't have any info on expiry dates. They can only register 3 new players in january - might be a real issue for them during the knockout phase, just trying to put together a team...

[Olé Olé]

it'll be interesting to see what happens come january. i know that farrugia and mandriou's contracts are both up, kenny's loan is due to expire, same as Darragh Burns and Markus Poom. transfermarkt says that Hoare (off to Pats), Towell (already gone) and Kavanagh's contracts are also expiring. There could well be more, as most of the players don't have any info on expiry dates. They can only register 3 new players in january - might be a real issue for them during the knockout phase, just trying to put together a team...
Was in Dan McDonnell wrote recently that Farrugia was attracting interest abroad (didn't state where) and that Kenny fancies another crack at the UK?

Not sure on the rest.

[elatedscum]

Was in Dan McDonnell wrote recently that Farrugia was attracting interest abroad (didn't state where) and that Kenny fancies another crack at the UK?

Not sure on the rest.

Daily Mail saying Celtic are gonna give Kenny a chance:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14163025/amp/Irish-striker-Kenny-set-earn-Celtic-opportunity-impressive-form-Europe-Shamrock-Rovers.html