Scottish Premiership champions Celtic reportedly want to sign John McGinn from Hibernian – could Rangers now take Sunderland out of the race?
Celtic have seen two bids for John McGinn rejected in July. And their hopes of bringing him to Parkhead before the end of the summer transfer window are hanging by a threat with Hibernian valuing him at £4 million, according to the Daily Record.
But could the Scottish Premiership champions get an unlikely helping hand from their bitter Old Firm rivals Rangers?
Celtic are far from the only side interested in nine-time Scotland international McGinn. It is reported that Sunderland, who are managed by his former St Mirren boss Jack Ross, had identified the 23-year-old as a priority target having missed out on signing him in 2017.
But the Scottish Sun is now reporting that Sunderland have identified Greg Docherty as a cheaper alternative. Energetic, hard-working and dynamic, the two players certainly share a few similarities.
And the report adds that Rangers, who signed the 21-year-old from Hamilton in January, would be willing to let him leave on loan with Sunderland currently leading the chase ahead of a number of other League One clubs.
If the Black Cats land Docherty, this would likely take them out of the race for McGinn and surely enhance Celtic’s hopes of bringing him to Parkhead this summer. But if Brendan Rodgers is keen to snap up McGinn, he will have to offer far more than the £2 million bid Celtic put on the table last week.
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