With the news that Ryan Christie is nearing a move to Bournemouth, Celtic could be set to scamble a replacement on the final day of the transfer window. One name that has been linked with a move this summer is St Johnstone’s Ali McCann.
The box-to-box midfielder was a key part of Callum Davidson’s team that stunned Scottish football by winning both the Scottish Cup and the League Cup last year. He is extremely highly-rated and gets better and better with each performance.
Copyright: Andrew Milligan
The 21-year-old has been watched by Celtic before and could add some additional strength in the middle of the park for the club. The high energy performance against Galatasaray earlier this summer was part of an incredible eighteen months in the centre of the park for the Perth side. McCann would likely cost around £2m with Watford, Aston Villa and a number of other sides supposedly keeping tabs on his availability during this window; however, the news that Ryan Christie is nearing an exit could expedite a Celtic move for the young midfielder.
James McCarthy signed during this summer on a free transfer from Crystal Palace and whilst he will add quality to the Celtic midfield, McCann represents a potential hybrid of attacking and defending. In terms of value for the future, McCann can only improve at Celtic and this would also give the club the opportunity to loan a few players to the Saints in order to continue their development but also sweeten the deal for the Perth side.
If Christie is to go tomorrow, Celtic need to act quickly and ensuring that McCann is on the radar would certainly improve Ange Postecoglou’s squad. The centre mid is part of Ian Baraclough’s squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifers but the Edinburgh-born youngster may be able to link up with Celtic before heading off on International duty.