I’ve conquered world ...next stop Hampden
Kenny wants a Scottish Cup winners’ medal to go with his 2017 global gong
JONJOE KENNY spent six weeks in South Korea and came home with a World Cup winners’ medal in his back pocket.
The Celtic loan star is hoping his six months in Scotland will give him the chance to add another gong to his collection.
Kenny was one of the Three Lions heroes who lifted England’s first major honour since 1966 when they claimed the Under-20 World Cup in the Far East in 2017.
The full-back was an everpresent alongside the likes of Everton team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke and ex-Kilmarnock loan goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
It was a proud moment for Kenny but winning the Scottish Cup with Celtic this season would leave him feeling on top of the world before he heads back to Goodison at the end of term.
The Hoops face rivals Rangers at Ibrox next week in the last 16 and Kenny said: “The World Cup was a great thing to win with England but you have to move on and it would be nice to have a Scottish Cup winners’ medal.
“In South Korea, it was a great achievement. I don’t think I got how massive it was back home.
“It’s a nice thing to look back on but you always want to win more.
“Celtic have won the Scottish Cup four times in a row but it’s not about having a responsibility to keep it – it’s about the team wanting as many trophies as possible.
“Winning the Cup and having a positive end to the season would give a bit back to the fans. It would be a nice way to finish.”
There’s still a long way to go on the road to Hampden. The Parkhead men have yet to get the better of Rangers this season.
Steven Gerrard’s men are going for the Double after romping to the Premiership title but next Saturday’s clash is not so cut and dried.
Gers were let off the hook at Parkhead in the 1-1 draw and it took an incredible performance from Allan McGregor to give them a win in the last Ibrox encounter.
Kenny relished his Old Firm debut last month and can’t wait to square up with the neighbours on the other side of Glasgow.
The 24-year-old said: “The Old Firm game was a great experience.
“Of course you know how big the fixture is but until you play in it, you don’t really know. You can see what it means to people.
“The Cup game at Ibrox is one to look forward to but we need to focus on this weekend’s league game against Livingston.
“You don’t want to look too far ahead.”
Kenny’s own future remains uncertain but after a succession of loan moves he’s ready to put down roots next season, whether that’s at Goodison or further afield.
He won’t dismiss the prospect of returning north of the border to get the real Parkhead experience. Kenny said:
“It would be massive to play at a full Celtic Park. I’ve heard the stories and it’s a shame I’ve not had the chance to experience it. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time here. To come to a club of the stature of Celtic has been very good. “I haven’t heard anything about my future. There are a lot of games to go and things to sort out. “I just want to take it week by week. I’ve got to stay focused on what I’ve got to do, which is performing to the maximum of my ability every week. “As a player you want to have a home for the long term.”
Winning the Cup would give a bit back to the fans. It would be a nice way to finish