IRISH FA president Jim Boyce hopes the treatment doled out to Neil Lennon by Northern Ireland fans will not put striker Kyle Lafferty off signing for Celtic.

The Parkhead club bid a six-figure sum for the 19-year-old Burnley striker, who grew up as a Rangers fan in his home town of Enniskillen.

Though he has admitted he'd love to sign for the Hoops, the seven-times capped teenager is aware that Lennon was the target of abuse - even death threats - from a section of Windsor Park supporters because of his association with Celtic.

He said: "I'm shocked about the interest from Celtic. I have to talk to my mum and dad about it. There could be uproar and I have to consider my international career."

But Boyce is hoping the supporters will not change their attitude to Lafferty if he joins the Glasgow club.

He said: "I hold Kyle in the highest regard and he has a great future in the game.

"He has made a great contribution in the short time he has been in the Northern Ireland team.

"Whatever decision Kyle makes regarding his future I would hope everyone in Northern Ireland respects it.

"And I look forward to him playing many more times for Northern Ireland."

Lafferty added today that on purely sporting terms, he would have no problem moving to the Bank of Scotland Premier League from the Coca-Cola Championship.

He said: "The Scottish league is a good standard and Celtic are a great club.

"I knew they were watching me about a month ago but I didn't think they would make a bid.

"It would be a great achievement for me to play in the Champions League with them."