McAvennie: McGinn move failing opened the door for Christie
FORMER Celt Frank McAvennie believes Parkhead’s failure to land John McGinn from Hibs this summer has enabled Ryan Christie to emerge at the club.
McGinn opted to sign for Aston Villa after a protracted summer of negotiation from Celtic and McAvennie has described it as a blessing in disguise.
“If they’d signed McGinn I don’t think there’s any doubt that Christie was on his way,” he said.
“It just shows you the part luck plays. If Ntcham and Brown hadn’t got injured Christie might also have been on his way.
“But he’s in. It’s all about taking that chance and he’s done it.
“I thought he would move on because he wasn’t good enough. Every time someone touched him he went down.
“Brendan Rodgers has built him up. He’s a wonderful player now.”
The first trophy of the season is up for grabs on Sunday as Celtic battle Aberdeen at Hampden for the Betfred League Cup. And McAvennie has warned that Celtic can only beat themselves.
“If they get beaten, it will be by themselves rather than an opponent,” he said. “If they turn up and play the way they can, and have shown in the past few weeks, they’ll take some stopping.”
Celtic are awaiting confirmation Filip Benkovic will remain at Celtic for the duration of the campaign after Leicester boss Claude Paul intimidated as much last week.
The Foxes have a recall clause in the defender’s contract meaning he could return to the Premier League in January if required but Rodgers is keen to have him until the summer.
And McAvennie expects the 21-yearold Croatian to follow in the footsteps of Virgil van Dijk by establishing himself at the very top level of the game.
A permanent deal for the player is highly unlikely given Leicester paid £13m for him two weeks before his loan move to Glasgow, but McAvennie has urged the Parkhead side to give it a go.
“That’s the type of players Celtic should be getting,” he said. “No matter what you pay for him, you will get a lot more back if they sold him in a couple of years.
“I know comparing him with van Dijk is saying something but that’s what I see in this lad.”
Frank McAvennie was speaking to promote ‘An evening with Danny McGrain, Davie Hay and Frank McAvennie’ which takes place on Monday, January 7, at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Tickets from £20.