Derby’s reported interest in Hibs’ John McGinn raises doubts over three players’ futures

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Derby County have been linked with Hibernian’s John McGinn.

According to a report in The Sun, Derby County want to rival Celtic for the signature of Hibernian midfielder John McGinn with the club plotting a bid in the region of £3 million.

McGinn has been among the best central midfielders in Scotland over the past 12 months, and with only one year left on his contract, Hibs may be forced to cash in on him this summer.

The 23-year-old has long been linked with a move to Celtic and Brendan Rodgers’ men appear in pole position to sign him, but late interest from Frank Lampard’s Derby could alter the situation.

The former Chelsea man has recently taking over the reins at Pride Park, and among his first tasks is to lower the average age of the squad and bring more mobility and energy to a static midfield.

McGinn fits the bill in terms of an ideal player Derby need in their midfield, but any potential arrival would raise questions over the future of three current Rams players who are vying for a place in the starting XI.

Craig Bryson:

Craig Bryson spent last season on loan at Cardiff City, and went on to earn promotion with the Welsh club. The Scotland international has been at Derby for a long time, originally signing under former boss Nigel Clough.

The former Kilmarnock man is an energetic midfielder capable of scoring goals. McGinn is very much an identical type of player, therefore targeting a player of Bryson’s ilk naturally raises doubts over his future.

Jacob Butterfield:

Jacob Butterfield joined Derby from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2015. He enjoyed an excellent debut season at the club, but since then he has found first-team opportunities hard to come by.

He spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and struggled to nail down a first-team spot. With his contract up next summer, it’s unlikely the club will offer him a new deal due to his hefty wages.

Bradley Johnson:

Bradley Johnson is another who arrived in the summer of 2015 for a then club record fee, and he’s another who sees his contract at the Midlands club expire in 12 months’ time.

While Lampard may be keen to hold on to the former Norwich City man this term, he is another with inflated wages and one who in the long-term needs replacing with a younger, more mobile midfielder.