Celtic have made a bid for Burnley's 19-year-old striker Kyle Lafferty. It is understood that the Parkhead club tabled an offer for the Northern Ireland international at lunchtime today.

Lafferty, from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, stands 6ft 4in and is regarded as the natural long-term successor to James Quinn for the national side.

Although still a teenager, he has already picked up seven senior caps and in August he scored his first goal for his country during the team's friendly against Finland in Helsinki.

Lafferty admits he is "honoured" to be wanted by the Parkhead club. And although Lafferty grew up as a Rangers fan that will not prevent him joining the Hoops if a deal is agreed.

He told www.bbc.co.uk: "Celtic are a huge club and I'm honoured to be the subject of a bid. Obviously there is a long way to go but I will be talking to my club and my agent. I will also have to have a long chat with my mum and dad.

"I grew up supporting Rangers but that won't stand in my way. Celtic are massive and the lure of European football is very appealing."

Lafferty arrived at Turf Moor as an apprentice in 2004. At the beginning of the 2005/2006 season he went out on loan to Darlington to gain experience and during his period there, he scored three goals in nine appearances.

After being promoted to Burnley's first team squad during the 2005/06 pre-season campaign he capped a whirlwind first year as a professional with a call-up to the full Northern Ireland squad for their two-match summer tour of the USA, winning his first cap against Uruguay in New York.