McGinn scored twice in the recent 2-2 draw with Celtic to ramp up speculation of a January move – but the performance of McGregor shouldn’t be forgotten.
The January transfer window should be a test of how much Celtic really want to sign Hibernian midfielder John McGinn.
Manager Brendan Rodgers did little to dampen speculation surrounding a potential move to Parkhead for the 22-year-old when he admitted in February that McGinn was ‘the type of player you love as a manager’, per the Scottish Sun.
Though with Hibs boss Neil Lennon making clear that the Edinburgh side would not entertain offers of less than £5 million for McGinn (Nottingham Post), Celtic face being forced to make the playmaker at least the fifth most expensive signing in the club’s history.
McGinn over McGregor?
The question is, do they really need him? After all, the Scottish champions already boast a hugely talented young central midfielder who appears to be improving by the week.
24-year-old academy graduate Callum McGregor has gone from strength to strength since Rodgers arrived at Parkhead in 2016 and has emerged as a crucial first-team player in the opening weeks of this season. In six Scottish Premiership starts, McGregor already has five goals to his game.
In fact, when McGinn scored two stunning goals at Parkhead to seemingly justify the prospect of Celtic bidding £5 million in the New Year last month, only a well-taken brace from McGregor saved the league leaders from a shock home defeat.
McGregor was every bit as impressive in that thrilling 2-2 draw as the man who, on paper, would be battling him for a place in green and white. Rodgers should keep this in mind, then, when weighing up a January move for Hibs’ £5 million-rated youngster.
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