Celtic may sign a star who “defies the odds”

Celtic Divert their attention away from Scottish Premier League This evening as they prepare to welcome Swiss giants Young Boys to Parkhead in UEFA Champions League.

The Hoops currently sit in 23rd place in the league stage and are just one point clear of teams gunning for a place in the play-off places, meaning they need to win to ensure they stay on course for quality into the next stage.

Brendan Rodgers He will be hoping his side can push on having also qualified for the next round of the AFC Cup last time out, beating Kilmarnock 2-1, thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda.

Celtic have enjoyed a fantastic season in all competitions, sitting top of the Premier League, already winning the League Cup, and still in the Champions League and Saudi Arabian Football Federation Cup.

Given the team's comfortable position in the Premier League, Glossa 13 clear points Among Rangers in second place, Rodgers has the opportunity to offer opportunities to younger players to see if they have what it takes to make the move, if he so desires.

One of the young talents to emerge for the Scottish giants this month is Irish striker Johnny Kenny, who recently returned from his loan at Shamrock Rovers.

Jonny Kenny's Celtic potential

Rodgers decided to include the striker in the first team squad this month, after his loan with the Irish team ended at the end of last year, and handed him a match in the Premier League against Ross County recently.

Kenny came off the bench 17 last minutes from a 4-1 win and had mixed success, wasting a “big chance” in front of goal and setting up Luke McEwan's goal by shooting the ball towards the midfielder inside the penalty area.

The 21-year-old gem, who turns 22 this summer, was then an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw with Dundee and was not included in the squad that beat Kilmarnock 2-1 in the SFA Cup.

Kenny returns to Celtic after impressing during his time with Shamrock Rovers on loan in the 2024 League of Ireland Premier League, as well as in the UEFA Conference League.

A young man scored the hoops Five goals from 3.78xG In six matches in European competition, he managed to create a “big chance” and provide an assist for his team.

As you can see in the table above, Kenny provided a good goal threat for Shamrock Rovers in the Premier League, but he missed 14 'big chances' in front of goal, suggesting he was profligate at times.

The right-footed striker is now hoping to start and establish himself as a regular in Celtic's first team between now and the end of the season, but his long-term hopes of landing the number nine shirt could be harmed by pressure from the club. Interest in another Irish bowler.

Celtic interest in Irish star

Earlier this month, I mentioned the sun Celtic are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign St Patrick's Athletic striker Mason Melia in the January transfer window.

The report claimed that Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, along with Eintracht Frankfurt and Genk, have also shown an interest in the 17-year-old star, as they look to snap up the promising youngster.

Melia will not be able to join a British club, such as Tottenham or Hoops, until January next year, as that is the next available transfer window after his 18th birthday, but that has not stopped both clubs wanting a deal. Now wrapped.

They could agree a move for the St Patrick's Athletic star this month and then monitor his performance for the Irish side in the 2025 campaign, before integrating him into their squad next year.

The sun added That Celtic are so keen to pounce on the 17-year-old gem as they view him as a potential 'future star' is bad news for Kenny, as Melia could come in as an even bigger talent than the 21-year-old ace.

Why Mason Melia is a bigger talent than Johnny Kenny

Firstly, the St Patrick's athlete is more than four years younger than Kenny, meaning he has more time to develop and hone his skills.

Despite his young age, Melia has emerged as a regular first-team option for his club, and manager Stephen Kenny claimed the youngster “Defying the odds” with his involvement in the team, while also praising the striker's work ethic.

As you can see in the clip above, the teenage star became the club's youngest ever goal scorer at 15 years and 132 days in the Leinster Senior Cup, finding the top corner with a stunning volley.

If you compare his form in the top flight for St Patrick's Athletic to that of Kenny in the 2023 season, when he was three years older than Melia is now, the Hoops target appears to be an even greater talent.

As you can see in the table above, the young dynamo, who was already 16 years old that season, caught the eye with more goals, fewer 'big chances' missed, and more duels won per match than Kenny.

This suggests that he has the potential to retain his physical presence, given that he has won 1.3 more battles per game on average, while also becoming more efficient in front of goal.

There's no telling how either will develop, as young players can be difficult to predict, but based on Melia's performances at a much younger age than Kenny, it looks as if Celtic will sign an even bigger talent. .

It remains to be seen how they use that talent and how Rodgers will help him as a coach, but the potential is there for him to be an exciting signing, and could hurt Kenny's long-term prospects, for the Hoops if they can. Winning the race for his signature.