Johnny Kenny looks set for second chance at Celtic as Daizen Maeda admission made

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Credit: Imago Tue 28 April 2026 13:56, UK Johnny Kenny is impressing out on loan at Bolton Wanderers and will surely be given another chance to prove himself at Celtic as Daizen Maeda moves closer to leaving.Kenny was sent out on loan to League One side Bolton in the January transfer window after struggling for form at Celtic.The Ireland striker has been in fine form over recent weeks to fire the Trotters to the play-offs, with Celtic surely taking notice of his impressive performances.Martin O’Neill’s latest admission over Daizen Maeda’s future should mean that he is definitely given another chance at Parkhead this summer.Celtic have been touted to sell Kenny in the coming months after signing numerous new strikers in the winter, but the Japan international’s likely exit will surely see him come back into contention under their next boss. 🔄 Celtic Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on latest signings, departures, and contract news from the Parkhead boardroom. VISIT THE CELTIC TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Johnny Kenny must be in line for Celtic return as Martin O’Neill expects Daizen Maeda to leaveSources have previously revealed to Football Insider that Celtic plan to accept offers for Maeda in the summer as he approaches the final year of his contract at Parkhead.He netted a brace to fire them to a 3-1 win over Falkirk on Saturday, with interim boss O’Neill hinting at a potential exit for the Japan star this summer after the match.Appearances (starts)13 (10)Goals6Assists3Shots per 903.69Chances created per 901.43Aerial duels won per 9037.1%Touches in opposition box per 906.55Kenny’s League One stats at BoltonThe Hoops manager said: “That would be something (a new contract) that the club and he would have to be talking about.“If he didn’t want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run.

I just assume that would be the normal thing.”Maeda certainly seems likely to leave, with new terms yet to be penned, and Kenny should be in line for another chance to stake his claim as Celtic’s main striker this summer, as a result.The 22-year-old has bagged in each of his last five Wanderers appearances, and his latest strike against Bradford City was a thing of beauty as he curled home from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 at Valley Parade.Kenny should already be in the Hoops’ plans for next season, no matter who their next manager is, and he seems even more likely to be given another chance now that Maeda looks set to leave.Steven Schumacher has told Celtic what to expect from Kenny next seasonBolton are primed to win promotion to the Championship through the play-offs after a stellar run of just two defeats in their last 20 league games.Schumacher knows what it takes to get promoted from the English third tier, and has benefitted from Celtic’s desire to loan Kenny out in January over the last few months.He told Hoops fans and their next manager how to get the best out of the Irishman after Kenny’s goal at Bradford, saying: “He has made a real massive contribution for us. I said in the summer that we wanted to try to get him.

That speed is behind, so he has been excellent, and his goal today was outstanding.“I’m pleased for him. It keeps his confidence going, and that’s important.