Aston Villa benefited from Celtic complacency in signing John McGinn

Stephen McGinn has revealed how complacency might have played a part in Celtic’s failed pursuit of John McGinn as his big brother ended up signing for Aston Villa…

In 2017, after McGinn impressed under Neil Lennon’s management at Hibs, 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 McGinn is suggesting that Celtic were complacent in their pursuit of John McGinn, who now captains Aston Villa.

Celtic refused to meet the modest asking price set by Hibernian, which allowed for Villa to sneak in at the 11th hour. 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 at Celtic Park.

For Aston Villa’s point of view John McGinn, coming in from Hibs for a few million, has turned out to be the bargain of the century for the Villa Park side.

John McGinn will get the chance to face Celtic in the Champions League at Villa Park when the sides meet on Wednesday 29 January 2025.

Both clubs to course are former Champions of Europe with Celtic having the distinction of being the first British side to lift the European Cup back in Lisbon on 25 May 1967.