Darragh Burns: Hibs eye second raid on Irish market as club plots swoop for St Patrick's Athletic winger

Kenny took in Tuesday night’s 1-0 victory over Dundee from the directors’ box, with Hibs said to be leading the race for his signature despite competition from Celtic, while Burns could be in the Hampden crowd when the Easter Road side face Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday.

Burns, a 19-year-old winger, made his debut for Pat’s as a 16-year-old against Chelsea in a summer friendly in 2019.

He notched four goals and nine assists from 26 league matches in 2021 including an equaliser against Finn Harps last month that secured Europa Conference League football for the Richmond Park outfit, who are currently managed by former Hibs defender Tim Clancy. He also played a key role in the Inchicore outfit’s FAI Cup success.

There is interest in Burns from England, with Oxford United among several clubs monitoring his situation. The wideman signed a new deal during the summer and is not understood to have a release clause as part of his contract, effectively allowing the Dublin side to name their price if Hibs make an official approach.

Born in the Irish Republic, Burns represented Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at Under-17 level before opting to play for the latter at Under-19 level.

However, he is in the process of declaring his allegiance to the country of his birth.