Ian McCall thinks Aston Villa’s John McGinn could have done a Paul McStay had he moved to Celtic

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Boyhood Celtic fan John McGinn has been thriving ever since his move to Aston Villa last summer.

Ian McCall thinks that Aston Villa’s John McGinn is worth ‘serious money’ now, and had he moved to Celtic last summer, he thinks he could have done a Paul McStay and spent his entire career at Parkhead.

BBC Sport pundit McCall thinks that Villa’s thriving midfielder is now potentially worth ‘£40 million’ after moving to the club for £2.7 million last summer amid interest from Celtic too, as reported by The Guardian.

McGinn is now regarded as Villa’s best player, he proved that last season when he guided the club to promotion and he has proven that even further in the Premier League.

Speaking to Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland, Partick Thistle manager McCall and former Gers man Ferguson shared their thoughts on McGinn.

“I have watched McGinn since he was 14,” Ferguson told Sportsound. “It’s lovely to see him move through the levels from St Mirren to Hibs and now at Aston Villa.

McCall added: “He seems like the type of boy that could have done a Paul McStay and stayed at Celtic his whole career because of his background. And that’s missed out now, that opportunity. He would go for serious money now. You could be talking £20m, £30m or £40 million now.”

Whilst Bhoys legend McStay was a one-club man, McGinn did play for the likes of St Mirren and Hibernian before it looked like a move to Celtic was going to materialise.

In the end, nothing happened, and even though Celtic have remained dominant in the Scottish Premiership, Villa will be forever grateful that such a transfer didn’t take place because it could be argued that they wouldn’t be in the position they are in today if it did.

McGinn’s performances in the middle of the park at Villa have been nothing short of remarkable, and whatever transfer fee is over his head, that sum will only continue to rise in these coming seasons.