Stephen McGinn has revealed how complacency might have played a part in Celtic’s failed pursuit of John McGinn. In 2017, after McGinn impressed under Neil Lennon’s management, it appeared inevitable that the boyhood Celtic supporter would join with Brendan Rodgers’ Double Treble winners.
Speaking to Open Goal, Stephen told Si Ferry & Co that the family expected a deal to take place and that only Celtic were interested in the dynamic midfielder.
“I remember watching the games against Celtic and thinking ‘surely they are going to take him as a no-risk.
“That was basically what we thought was going to happen because it was only Celtic that were in really. I think Celtic had wind of that as well.
“I remember the agents saying that if Villa get the transfer embargo sorted, then they are coming in.”
It appears that Stephen is suggesting that Celtic were complacent in their interest of McGinn, who now captains Villa. Celtic refused to meet the modest asking price set by Hibernian, which allowed for Villa to sneak in. The player and Brendan were said to be expecting a deal to take place, having supposedly met to discuss his role under the Irishman.
Steve Bruce’s Villa managed to get their affairs in order allowing a bid for the player. It happened quickly with the bid launched, accepted and McGinn travelling down to Birmingham to complete his medical and sign for the Championship side. It occurred on the evening that Celtic drew with AEK Athens in the Champions League Qualifiers as Rodgers’ discontent was evident.
It’s very interesting that with our superiority shining through, the nay sayers still try to find negatives in the champions.
The facts being deliberately ignored of course, are still those that mention that the player himself chose Villa over Celtic, almost certainly because he knew there was no chance that he was good enough to replace Scott Brown as the starter in the middle. Hibs had accepted the exact same offer from both clubs, Celtic were kings as always, Villa were in the Championship.
Both clubs offered exactly the same terms to the player. The only explanation is fear.
Give one