Brendan Rodgers lauds 'natural goalscorer' Johnny Kenny after finding the net for Celtic
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on Johnny Kenny after the Sligo native scored his first goal for the club in the 5-1 victory over Aberdeen on Wednesday.
The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker marked his full Hoops debut with a second-half header to score Celtic's fourth at Pittodrie, while senior Boys in Green international Adam Idah also continued his excellent recent run in front of goal with the fifth - the Corkman's 20th in all competitions this season.
Kenny, who started his career at Sligo Rovers and has had two productive loan spells at Shamrock Rovers, has now made seven league appearances for Celtic since the latter loan period ended ahead of the January window and manager Rodgers felt the goal was just rewards for his efforts.
"Johnny, we're also pleased for because he works so hard, he is a natural goalscorer," Rodgers told Celtic TV.
"I think when you see his movement for the goal, it's so, so good and everyone was delighted for him."
Meanwhile, Rodgers criticised Aberdeen midfielder Pape Gueye for a "needless challenge" on Reo Hatate during the victory which comes a week and a half before the Scottish Cup final.
Gueye's challenge on Hatate, who went off injured and had an ice pack just below his knee, that irked Rodgers.
He said: "It was a needless challenge. The free-kick was given and the ball runs away - Reo's just relaxed and stopping it and the guy loses his head and just kicks through and block-tackles him, so hopefully it's not going to be too serious.
"It was an outstanding performance. I'm very pleased, naturally. I've always said whatever changes I do make shouldn't affect the structure of the team. We have a way we want to play. The players have clarity on the structure and what we expect.
"It all comes from a basis of real hard work and pressing which allows us to play at the tempo we want to."
Asked if the result will have an impact when the sides meet again in the Scottish Cup final a week on Saturday, Rodgers added: "That's for Aberdeen. From my side, I'm really happy with the performance. For me this was still a big game for us and we did that."
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