Birmingham City legend Bryan Hughes believes £3 million Riley McGree has what it takes to shine under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, speaking to the Daily Record.
Celtic’s interest in the talented, technically-gifted Australia international might have come somewhat out of the blue but delve a little deeper and you’ll find that this is a transfer five years in the making (Scottish Sun).
McGree was just 18 when the Glasgow giants first expressed an interest all the way back in 2017.
Flash forward to January 2022 and, with Celtic expected to fight off competition from Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder appears to be on his way to Parkhead at long last.
Much to the frustration of many a Birmingham City supporter.
Charlotte FC-owned McGree dazzled on loan at St Andrews in the first half of this season.
And the fact that Birmingham cannot afford to turn his short-term deal into a permanent transfer is hardly a ringing endorsement of the club’s finances or ambition.
Hughes, a legendary midfielder who made nearly 300 appearances in Birmingham colours, will certainly be sad to see McGree go, even if he understands the allure of Parkhead.
Will Riley McGree shine at Celtic?
“I just like the way he’s very comfortable when receiving the ball. He wants it. Even if he makes mistakes. At Birmingham, he was one of the creative players who was relied upon,” Hughes says.
“He can go left, he can go right, he’s very unpredictable at times and he’ll definitely get the fans off their seats.
“He’s a very talented player. He can do the business at Celtic.”
Interestingly, McGree was handed his international debut by former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, who described the then-teenage midfielder as an ‘exciting’ talent.
Some half a decade later, McGree is set to reunite with his former boss, becoming Celtic’s fifth January signing after Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Johnny Kenny.
Another Australia international, Hibernian’s Martin Boyle, has also been linked.
But while there is no doubt about McGree’s talent or potential – remember that scorpion kick wondergoal? – it remains to be seen whether he can thrive in the Glasgow goldfish bowl.
“I’ve known a few boys through my career who have played up in Scotland. Francis Jeffers, who was at Rangers, was a team-mate of mine at Charlton,” Hughes adds.
“There are few others, so I know exactly what it is like playing for the big clubs in Glasgow. It’s intimidating.
“You are going to have to have a strong mentality to deal with that first and foremost and that will allow your talent to shine through.”
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