Derry City boss Stephen Kenny has confirmed that Celtic have beaten the Blues and a number of other clubs to winger Niall McGinn's signature. Kenny revealed that Town showed "genuine interest” in the 21-year-old, who will cost the SPL champions £250,000 when he completes his move in January.

Kenny says McGinn, who recently won his first Northern Ireland cap, had a superb Eircom League season after joining Derry early in the year: "Niall has had a meteoric rise in the past 12 months. I signed him from Dungannon in January and he has made an immediate impact on our side.

"Some of his performances have been sensational and it wasn't long before word spread and teams started to come and watch him.

"We've had scouts here from all sorts of clubs in the Premiership and genuine interest from Wigan, Derby, Ipswich and Swansea, but Niall has opted to make the biggest move of his career and join Celtic.

"It's a huge step for any player to make but for a boy of 21 who has only just turned full-time to take it says a lot about his ambition and desire to play at the highest level.

"I have no doubts Niall can make an impact at Celtic but he needs time. He has a big learning capacity and Celtic are buying real potential.”

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