Brendan Rodgers reacts to Johnny Kenny's first goal for Celtic
'Natural goalscorer' Johnny Kenny's first goal for Celtic was hailed by Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers as t
The ex-Sligo and Shamrock Rovers marksman got off the mark for the Glasgow giants in their 5-1 defeat of Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
Kenny, who has represented Ireland at under-21 level, was making his first start for Celtic in his seventh William Hill Premiership appearance since returning to the club from his second loan spell with Shamrock Rovers in January.
And the 21-year-old celebrated by scoring with a header early in the second half at Pittodrie. "Johnny, we're also pleased for because he works so hard, he is a natural goalscorer," Rodgers said. "I think when you see his movement for the goal, it's so, so good and everyone was delighted for him."
Ireland striker Adam Idah was also on the scoresheet, rounding off the scoring for the champions for his 20th goal in all competitions this term with an injury time effort from close range.
Rodgers hit out at Aberdeen midfielder Pape Gueye for a 'needless challenge' on Reo Hatate in the encounter with only a week and a half to go until the Scottish Cup final.
Aberdeen played the closing stages of the match with 10 men after on-loan Tottenham defender Alfie Dorrington saw red for two bookings. But it was 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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