The rumour mill has been grinding for the last 24-hours, linking Irish international Mark Kennedy with a move from Manchester City to Glasgow Celtic The rumour earned its first airing on Simon Mayo's Radio One show on Monday morning; since then it has turned into a full-blown story.

It is believed that Celtic's new boss, Martin O'Neill, has tabled a £4.5m offer for the winger who helped Manchester City reach the heights of the Premiership. But the Maine Road club say they know nothing of the offer.

Kennedy is out to prove that he is a top-flight player after failing at Liverpool and Wimbledon to secure a first-team place. His move to Manchester City released the pressure off the young Dubliner and he fulfilled the promise which he showed at Millwall - the same promise which alerted Liverpool to him in the first place.

He was by far the best winger in the First Division last year and it is highly unlikely that City boss Joe Royle would allow him to leave the club now that they have reached the Premiership. Instead it is more likely that he will build a team around him in a bid to survive at the top.