Celtic are a special football club. Anybody who has followed the Hoops for any length of time understands that. And although they are no longer capable of competing financially with teams from the biggest leagues in world football, it does leave them with a chance of competing for some top players, who are willing to make the move to Glasgow just to experience it.
Kieran Tierney is the perfect example of that. Clubs like Juventus were reportedly interested in signing him when his Arsenal contract ran out. But the Scottish international chose to return to his boyhood club instead.
Yes, he has not been brilliant since his return and it feels like years of injuries have taken their toll on him. That being said, the decision to make a comeback in the first place needs to be admired and appreciated. There are plenty of others who found themselves in similar situations in the past and did not.
John McGinn is someone with a strong connection to the Glasgow giants, even though he never played for the Hoops. It is no secret that he grew up supporting them. His grandfather, Jack McGinn, served as the chairman of Celtic Football Club from 1986 to 1991.
Premier League superstar tipped to join Celtic out of nowhere
Charlie Mulgrew appears to believe that McGinn would be keen on a move to Celtic at some point in his career. As reported by Glasgow Times, he said while talking on talkSPORT:
"Listen, John McGinn would’ve loved to have went to Celtic.
"I know John McGinn personally, his whole family are Celtic fans, but it just didn’t happen for whatever reason.
"I think it’s definitely going to be in his head [to sign for Celtic.]
"When you’re brought up in Glasgow, the only teams that you see are Celtic and Rangers – and for you, that’s the pinnacle of football.
"Because that was all I had seen – I know now that there’s bigger games, but to then eventually score against Rangers and feel that, I know John McGinn will be desperate to do that.
"Whether that happens or not, I just don’t know."
McGinn was actually very close to joining Celtic at one point. But the club allowed the deal to drag on. Guess not much has changed over all these years. That delay allowed Aston Villa to swoop in and the rest is history.
McGinn has captained Aston Villa during one of their most successful periods in the modern era. He has made almost 300 appearances for them and scored multiple goals for them in the Champions League.
He is a modern-day Aston Villa legend. His current deal with the club runs out in the summer of 2027. He will be 32 at that point. And in many ways, it would be last chance to make a dream move to Celtic.
If McGinn is still fit at that point, a move would make sense. But that is impossible to predict right now. As things stand, such a move is nowhere near.