JOHNNY'S EYEING DERBY-DAY GLORY

Hampden goal on wishlist after pain of Rodgers exit

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

IT'S BEEN a head-spinning week for Johnny Kenny, watching the man who changed his life head out the door and the man he cheered on for Ireland coming in the other way.

A couple of goals against Falkirk helped prevent a restless night - and instead he has been left dreaming about becoming an Old Firm Hampden hero.

It's been a weird couple of days.

The departure of Brendan Rodgers caused shockwaves in the squad and the return of Martin O'Neill was another jaw-dropping turn of events.

But this game waits for no man and Celtic had to get back to business against Falkirk to get the title race back on track and restore some kind of sense ahead of the Premier Sports Cup semifinal showdown with Rangers on Sunday.

Kenny’s brace against the Bairns was just the ticket and he's now bang in the frame to start the derby clash, even with Daizen Maeda back fit.

And the 22-year-old Irish hitman is eying a place in the history books.

Kenny said: “It’s probably the biggest fixture in world football and it can create heroes.

“A few years ago Adam Idah (right) came in and scored a big goal against them in the Scottish Cup Final (in 2024). Hopefully 1 can replicate something like that.

“It's a massive game and it would be a marker put down by us to get into another cup final.

“Results haven't been great recently but we want to win games, that's what we are here to do.