CELTIC have beaten off competition from five Barclays Premier League clubs to land one of Scottish football’s most promising young strikers.

Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle United, Southampton and Stoke City were all keen to land Scotland Under-15 internationalist Kieran McGrath.

However, the Coatbridge youngster, whose father Hugh was on the books at Parkhead as a boy, opted to join the club he supports.

It is the fourth year in a row the Glasgow giants had attempted to land the 14-year-old, who has signed a two year deal, and they have finally got their man.

Elliott Fillingham, the Head of Youth at McGrath’s representatives ViolaFC, revealed why the centre forward had opted to go to the Scottish champions.

He said: “Celtic offer a compelling development programme for Kieran with the additional hours of practice and coaching at their school initiative at St Ninian’s.

“The number of international tournaments and the additional exposure that comes with playing for a massive club like Celtic will help Kieran reach the next level in his career.”

McGrath is one of only two age-group players in Scotland who are sponsored by adidas – the other is 18-year-old Celtic winger Aiden Nesbitt.

The Braidhurst High pupil has played for Hibs for the last seven years and scored five goals in a match against Newcastle United last season.

He said: "I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Celtic and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career. Celtic was the right club for me and it’s a dream come true”

His representative John Viola said: “Kieran has got fantastic potential - so much so that a number of Premier League clubs have contacted me with a view to doing business but his first and only choice was Celtic.

“We are really looking forward to Kieran progressing towards playing for the first team”