Red-hot Celtic loanee continues scoring streak in rout as Scotland hitman suffers major promotion blow
Celtic’s on loan hit man continues scoring run.
Celtic striker Johnny Kenny continued his hot streak on loan to Bolton Wanderers as he scored for the third consecutive game in a 5-1 win over Stevenage on Tuesday night.
Steven Schumacher's side were looking to bounce back from a damaging defeat to Cardiff City the weekend, and were handed the perfect tonic as they routed playoff rivals Stevenage, with Celtic forward Kenny at the centre of the action yet again.
The 22-year-old frontman began the season in the Parkhead first-team, scoring six goals in 22 appearances for the club, but opted to join the EFL League side on loan in January to play more regularly having fallen down the pecking order under Parkhead manager Martin O’Neill.
The Trotters got off to a flying start when Amario Cosier-Duberry fired his side into the lead after just 13 minutes with a left-footed effort from distance. Kenny, deployed in a number ten role behind former Dundee United striker Sam Dalby, then doubled the advantage on the half-hour mark when he tucked home following a strong run from Thierry Gale down the left.
Kenny was involved in the action again shortly before the break as Stevenage were reduced to ten men, with Daniel Phillips shown a straight red card for an elbow on the Republic of Ireland international. Cosier-Duberry then bagged his second on 49 minutes, with further goals from Ruben Rodrigues (67) and Mason Burstow (81) sealing a thumping win at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Dan Kemp’s goal for the visitors proving to be nothing more than a consolation.
Currently in third position, Bolton are aiming to gain promotion back to the English second tier after a seven-year absence, but trail Cardiff City by nine points in second and look destined for a playoff berth with just three games remaining.
Elsewhere, Scotland international George Hirst suffered a major blow to his hopes of automatic promotion with Ipswich Town, as Kieran McKenna’s side fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Portsmouth thanks to first-half goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Colby Bishop.
Ipswich, who moved into the EFL Championship automatic promotion spots with a 2-0 derby day win over Norwich City at the weekend, were looking to increase their lead over third-placed Millwall and go one step closer to an immediate return to the English Premier League, but were left wanting at Fratton Park.
Hirst, 27, started the game looking to add to his tally of ten goals, but was unable to make any impact as the hosts dominated proceedings. Taking just four touches in the opposition box, the striker had just one shot throughout when he headed wide from the centre of the box following Dara O'Shea’s cross.
Their first of two games in hand on Alex Neil’s side, Ipswich had hoped to go five points clear in the race for second spot but registered just one shot on target throughout as they missed a major opportunity to pull clear of their rivals.
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