Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic are keen on Sligo Rovers striker Johnny Kenny but, according to Edinburgh Live, Scottish Premiership rivals Hibernian are in pole position.
When reports first emerged linking Kenny with the Glasgow giants back in September, the Sligo supporters certainly had their concerns.
Celtic, they argued, have a less-than-impressive track record when it comes to giving exciting young Irishmen a chance in the first-team.
Luca Connell, Jonathan Afolabi and Lee O’Connor appear to have disappeared entirely from view.
Armstrong Okoflex, meanwhile, returned to England after growing frustrated with his lack of opportunities in green-and-white.
When you consider that Okoflex has scored 11 goals in 15 games for West Ham’s U23 side so far, one wonders whether Celtic will live to regret leaving the Dublin-born 19-year-old on the fringes.
Are Celtic losing out on Johnny Kenny to Hibs?
Should the Hoops firm up their interest in Kenny, then, the teenager will have a decision to make. Rather you than us, Johnny.
According to the Edinburgh Live, Hibs are on the charm offensive, giving Kenny a guided tour around their training base.
The League of Ireland starlet, who’s netted 11 times in 33 games this term, was at Easter Road for Hibernian’s 1-0 victory over Dundee last weekend too.
The Irish Independent back up those claims, adding that Hibs are in ‘pole position’ and Celtic face missing out.
Sligo Rovers fans were breathing a sigh of relief back in November when Kenny signed a new three-year contract. But it seems that may have been premature.
Kenny has a release clause in his contract worth around £130,000. A pocket change fee, really, even if chairman Ron Gordon admitted that Hibs are in a ‘difficult’ financial position.
Celtic, it seems, face missing out on Kenny unless they act fast. But, if reports are to be believed, Postecoglou’s title-chasing side are closing in on three new signings.
J-League trio Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate should arrive before the February transfer deadline.
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