Ange Postecoglou will turn his attention to other midfield targets if Riley McGree chooses Middlesbrough over Scottish Premiership challengers Celtic, as reported by the Scottish Sun.
It’s a twist that could have repercussions on both sides of the Old Firm divide.
As recently as Monday, it seemed that Celtic had all-but tied up a deal to bring Charlotte FC midfielder McGree to Parkhead.
The £3 million playmaker, who earned handed Australia debut under none other than Postecoglou himself back in 2017, was set to become the club’s fifth January signing after Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Johnny Kenny.
But, in a twist straight out of the Shyamalan playbook, Middlesbrough appear to have snatched McGree from under Celtic’s nose.
Middlesbrough have submitted a bid in the region of £3.5 million, some £500,000 more than Celtic’s offer (90Min).
This, one presumes, would also see a promotion-chasing Boro side back away from a deal that would see Chris Wilder reunite with Rangers’ John Lundstram at the Riverside.
As we said, this is a twist with repercussions on both the green and the blue side of Glasgow.
Will Celtic regret missing out on Riley McGree?
But where do Celtic go from here?
The Hoops have been tracking McGree for five years, ever since he was an up-and-coming youngster making a name for himself Down Under at Adelaide United.
Postecoglou will be disappointed to miss out, having witnessed first-hand just what a talent McGree – a 2018 Puskas Award nominee – can be on his day.
The Socceroo star has impressed on loan at Birmingham City in the first half of this season too.
According to The Sun, however, Postecoglou’s approach to missing out on McGree is to get back on the horse and try again.
McGree was just one of a number of his midfield targets. And attention will now turn to alternative options.
Perhaps Celtic will go back in for Danny Mandroiu, the Shamrock Rovers star and League of Ireland winner. The versatile Albert Gudmundsson is another on Celtic’s radar.
And he can be snapped up on a pre-contract agreement with his AZ Alkmaar deal expiring in July.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
