Republic of Ireland international Johnny Kenny is hopeful of a starting Celtic berth as new manager Wilfried Nancy looks to overturn a dreadful start as manager.
Celtic have lost all three matches under the Frenchman and face Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in almost half a century.
The former Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers striker made his international bow in the famous 3-2 win away to Hungary last month during a period where he began to establish himself under interim managers Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney at club level.
Kenny scored four goals under the pair including one in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final win over Rangers after returning from injury in October.
The 22-year-old came on as a first-half substitute for Kelechi Iheanacho during Sunday’s abject 3-1 defeat by St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final.
With a hamstring injury likely to keep the former Leicester City striker sidelined, Kenny, who suffered a similar injury earlier this season, is eyeing a role from the start at Tannadice.
“I don’t like seeing any of my team-mates get injured as it’s a team game,” Kenny said.
“But hopefully it brings another opportunity for me to get a run in the side and hopefully perform and get us back winning games.
“I think I proved the last time once I got in that I could score a few goals and obviously came out then. But if I get back in, I hope to do the same.”
The Sligo native has stressed it is up to the players to study and implement their new manager’s methods as he backed Nancy to come through a sticky start at Parkhead.
Kenny celebrates scoring against Kilmarnock earlier this season
Kenny is optimistic they will get to grips with the manager’s system, which has seen Celtic switch to a back three with wing-backs and a box midfield.
“He’s made changes and we just need to adapt and implement the changes on the pitch, and ultimately get results,” he said.
“Every manager has different systems. You just need to get down and try and study and learn their system.
“I’ve really enjoyed it since the new manager has come in. Obviously the results are not what we wanted, but I can see it progressing over the next few weeks and getting the results we need.
“We haven’t had much time on the training pitch, since the manager came in we have played every three days, but I think we really are getting there and hopefully we can put it right.
“I don’t think any player in there has turned their back on the manager. We are professionals, we’re here to do a job and all get behind everyone in this building and we’re all fully in it.”