Neil Lennon suggests Celtic target John McGinn’s had Aston Villa medical

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Neil Lennon has suggested that Aston Villa are ahead of Celtic in the race to sign John McGinn.

In comments reported by the Express and Star, Neil Lennon has suggested that he believes that Aston Villa are ahead of Celtic in the race to sign John McGinn, with the midfielder undergoing a medical with the Championship side.

McGinn’s future appears to lie away from Easter Road now, with Aston Villa holding talks with the 23-year-old earlier this week, and Celtic – who have been chasing the midfielder throughout the window – matching the Villans’ bid for the Scotland international.

McGinn’s connections to Celtic – he is a fan of the club and his grandfather is a former chairman – may leave some believing that the Hoops’ new bid could put them back in front in the race after losing ground recently, but Lennon suggested that he believes that Villa remain in the driving seat for McGinn.

“John went down to Birmingham, I think he is having a medical there. A fee has been agreed. I don’t know if personal terms have been agreed yet,” he said, as reported by the Express and Star.

“I think Celtic have matched the offer but I think Villa are in the driving position at the minute.”

It will be frustrating for Brendan Rodgers if Celtic miss out on McGinn. They have been chasing him throughout the summer, and have only decided to make an acceptable bid once it appears more than likely that he could be heading elsewhere.

It seems unlikely that the Celtic hierarchy would not have known what Hibs were looking for for McGinn, so they could have potentially wrapped up a move for the midfielder long before Villa – who endured a torrid start to the summer – were able to get involved in the race.

And based on Lennon’s comments, it would appear that it may now be too late for the Hoops to make up the ground and get a deal done for the youngster.