Bolton Wanderers have dropped out of the race to sign Celtic striker Johnny Kenny, with Preston North End now closing in on the forward. The news was reported by The72 on Tuesday, citing The Bolton News reporter Marc Iles, who stated the Trotters are not expected to re-sign the 23-year-old Irishman.
Steven Schumacher's side currently sit 11th in the Championship with four points from their opening three games, having recorded one win, one draw, and one loss. They have scored and conceded two goals, leaving them with a zero goal difference and five points behind early leaders Charlton Athletic. Their next test is an away trip to face 7th-placed Millwall on September 5th.
Why are Bolton not signing Johnny Kenny?
Johnny Kenny spent the second half of last season on loan with Bolton from Celtic, joining in January. He made 14 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing three assists. His contribution was significant in helping the club secure promotion from League One, and he played a key role in their play-off success, becoming a popular figure with supporters. Despite this successful spell, a permanent return is not on the cards. Marc Iles said, "Schumacher’s side are not in the race for his signature, via The Bolton News."
This leaves Bolton one body short in attack as the transfer window progresses. The club must now identify and pursue alternative targets to bolster their forward line for the Championship campaign. Fans can track any new arrivals on the official squad page.
What is Johnny Kenny's background?
The 23-year-old striker has been on Celtic's books since joining from Sligo Rovers in 2022. During his time with the Scottish giants, he scored seven goals in 32 outings. He also has two senior caps for the Republic of Ireland. His productive loan spell at the University of Bolton Stadium demonstrated his ability to perform in English football, making his potential move to a Championship rival like Preston a notable one for Bolton fans to monitor.
How does this affect Bolton's season start?
Bolton began the season with a 1-0 win against Preston North End, the very club now poised to sign Kenny. They followed that with a draw away at Queens Park Rangers before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Lincoln City last Saturday. The team has an immediate opportunity to put things right in their upcoming fixture away at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane. The full schedule of upcoming challenges is available on our fixtures page.
The squad's current league position and form highlight the need for reinforcements. With the attack identified as an area needing depth, the search for a new striker becomes a priority. Supporters can follow the team's progress in the standings as the season develops.
Bolton Wanderers face Millwall at The Den on September 5th in their next Championship match.
