One former Celtic star has lost his manager just weeks after joining the club due to an early-season sacking. Johnny Kenny joined Preston North End on a £3million deal this summer on the back of his impressive loan spell down South last season.
Kenny scored six times in 11 league appearances for Bolton Wanderers in League One last season, helping to lead them to the playoffs, which they eventually won in Kenny's absence due to injury.
It quickly became clear that the Irish striker wouldn't be getting opportunities at Celtic this season after Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh were signed, and a number of Championship clubs, including Bolton, are said to have come to the table to try to strike a deal.
In the end, Preston offered the longest and best-paid deal, and they won the race, agreeing a £3million deal with Celtic. Kenny has made three league appearances so far, but Preston are off to a very disappointing start, winning just once in seven games, and picking up no further points.
North End have the second-worst record in the Championship, only separated from the worst by goal difference, and that has led them to sack Paul Heckingbottom.
A North End statement read: "Preston North End Football Club have today taken the decision to part company with Paul Heckingbottom as First Team Football Manager.
"Football is a results business and despite significant investment in the playing squad since Paul joined, the results during 2026 and the start of this current campaign have not been acceptable.
"Paul leaves us with our thanks and best wishes. His professionalism and work ethic during his time with us have been second to none.
"As a result of this decision Stuart McCall has also left the Club today. We similarly thank Stuart for his contribution over the last two years and wish him all the best for the future.
"We will now look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible but until such time as we do Jason Euell will take charge of first team matters on an interim basis."
That's not ideal for Kenny, who was signed by Heckingbottom and will have held discussions with his now former boss before making the move. Kenny will be hoping the next appointment works out well for him, and indeed that he and his teammates can find a way out of the sticky situation they are headed for.
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