Celtic and Hibernian are set to face each other in the final of the Scottish League Cup this Sunday in what is expected to be a tight contest between two good sides. But it is not only on the pitch that the two appear to be competing with each other at the moment. The Scottish clubs seem to be in the middle of a transfer battle as well for an exciting striker, who has impressed immensely in recent times.

That player is Sligo Rovers’ Johnny Kenny. The 18-year-old has been a revelation ever since breaking into the first-team picture and is believed to be attracting a lot of attention already.

According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 12 goals and provided 3 assists in 34 appearances for Sligo Rovers till now. Impressive numbers to say the least.

And as reported by Independent.ie, Hibernian are battling with Celtic for the signature of Kenny. There is believed to be a €150,000 release clause in his current deal, which could be triggered when the transfer window reopens in January. Interestingly, he was in attendance at Easter Road recently.

Celtic and Hibernian battling for Kenny’s signature

There is no doubt that Kenny looks like a very bright prospect. Despite turning 18 in the middle of this year, he has already managed to make a mark at the senior level and scored quite a few goals.

Celtic are no strangers to the League of Ireland, having signed Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers in the summer. And after a rocky start to life at Parkhead, he is starting to find his feet now, starting in the game against Ross County last night and even assisting Liel Abada’s opener.

It remains to be seen if Celtic do end up making a move for Kenny but the fact that he was in attendance for the Hibernian game might mean that they are slightly ahead in the transfer race right now.