McGinn’s Brother Reveals Celtic’s Missed Opportunity
Stephen McGinn’s brother, Paul, recently shed light on the missed opportunity for his sibling to join his boyhood club, Celtic. In the summer of 2018, it appeared almost certain that John McGinn would make the move to Glasgow and don the Hoops jersey. However, the anticipated transfer never materialized, leading to his decision to sign for Aston Villa instead.
The Anticipation of a Celtic Move
As a key player for Hibernian, John McGinn’s performances caught the attention of Celtic, especially after his success in winning the 2016 Scottish Cup. The McGinn family, including Paul, were all convinced that John would make the switch to Celtic, given the strong ties to the club. Watching him play against Celtic only fueled their belief that he was destined to join the Hoops.
Paul reminisced about the anticipation surrounding the potential move, stating, “I remember watching the games against Celtic and thinking ‘surely they are going to take him as a no-risk [signing].’ He has done really well against them.” The family’s confidence in the transfer was high, with Celtic being the primary club in consideration at the time.
Aston Villa’s Unexpected Offer
Despite the expectations of a Celtic move, John McGinn surprised many by signing for Aston Villa, then a Championship side under the management of Steve Bruce. The decision came as a shock to both the McGinn family and Celtic fans, as the desired move to Glasgow did not come to fruition.
Paul revealed the details behind the unexpected turn of events, stating, “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.” The family had believed that Celtic was the frontrunner for John’s signature, making Villa’s offer a surprising twist in the transfer saga.
Thriving at Villa Park
Despite the initial disappointment of missing out on a move to Celtic, John McGinn has thrived at Aston Villa since joining the club for a reported fee close to £3 million. His performances on the pitch have solidified his position as a key player for Villa, eventually earning him the captain’s armband.
Paul reflected on John’s success at Villa, stating, “He [my grandad] was chairman [at Celtic].” This connection to Celtic made the missed opportunity all the more significant for the family. However, John’s resilience and determination have seen him excel at Villa Park, proving his worth and talent in the English football scene.
As John McGinn prepares to face his boyhood heroes in a Champions League clash at Villa Park in January, the missed opportunity of a Celtic move serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football transfers. Despite the initial disappointment, John’s journey at Aston Villa has been a testament to his skill and determination on the field.
