Are Celtic repeating last summer’s mistake with potential Allan, McGinn swap?

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Celtic reportedly want to sign John McGinn from Hibernian and will offer their Scottish Premiership rivals Scott Allen in exchange.

One of the longest running sagas in Scottish football seems to be coming to an end.

After over a year of speculation, the Scottish Sun reports that Celtic are stepping up their pursuit of the in-demand Hibernian midfielder John McGinn.

The 23-year-old Scotland international is expected to hold talks with Celtic chiefs in the near future, according to the Scottish Sun. McGinn, who is valued at around £5 million by Hibs boss Neil Lennon, is a boyhood Hoops fan so a move to Celtic would perhaps appeal more than any of his many other suitors.

But this is where it gets interesting.

The report adds that Celtic could allow Scott Allan, who spent the second half of last season at Hibs, to remain at Easter Road permanently to sweeten the deal for McGinn.

And this is likely to stir up debate. The Celtic fanbase has been largely split on whether McGinn is good enough. Some are claiming he is the second coming of Scott Brown while others have argued that he is no better than what they have already got.

And there is an argument to be made that McGinn was even overshadowed by Allan during the last few months of the season.

Allan, who initially signed for Celtic from Hibernian in 2015, returned to Easter Road in January and quickly rediscovered that golden touch, leading Lennon to describe him as ‘unplayable’. In all competitions during loan spells at Dundee and Hibs, Allan assisted 14 goals in 35 games.

And though Allan flattered to deceive at Celtic, manager Brendan Rodgers is a master as resurrecting careers. Is the 26-year-old being written off too early?

And are Celtic repeating last summer’s Jonny Hayes, Ryan Christie mistake and making room for a new player by getting rid of a more naturally talented footballer?