McCann would shine at Celtic, insists Craigan

A FULL internationalist with Northern Ireland. A double cup winner. A player whose growth throughout the season was instrumental in one of the greatest success stories the Scottish game has ever known. Little wonder that Ali McCann is poised to become the biggest sale in St Johnstone’s history when the time is right. For all the 21-year-old has achieved to date, there will always be lingering questions. His ability to handle the pressure of playing for a would-be suitor in Celtic is chief among them. In this regard, however, Stephen Craigan has no doubts. ‘Ali McCann has grown no end in the last year to 18 months,’ said the former Northern Ireland international. ‘He came to prominence for me when I watched him play for Northern Ireland against a strong Austria in the Nations League. ‘I was a little concerned because I wondered how he would cope physically and how his composure would be. ‘As much as he can get about the game in Scotland, would it affect his decision making? ‘He was absolutely terrific. Nothing fazed him at all. ‘So if you are asking can he step up to a bigger club with regards his mental approach, then he has that composure about him to take it in his stride.’ Were a move to Celtic Park to materialise, Craigan’s only concern would be an initial disruption to the relentless run of first-team games McCann has grown accustomed to. Given time, however, he believes the midfielder would be a perfect fit for Celtic’s requirements. ‘He would complement David Turnbull and Callum McGregor,’ said Craigan. ‘Callum, Ryan Christie and Ismaila Soro are in there, Olivier Ntcham still has to come back. ‘You will have competition for places at a club like Celtic. Any young player who goes there will have to back themselves and show a lot of belief. ‘Is it the right time to go to Celtic or is he a direct replacement for Scott Brown? He is probably similar to Scott Brown in his younger days. He will want to go and win the ball off opposition full-backs and centre-halves, he has that energy and also reminds me of a younger Steven Davis — how he gets himself into the box and times his runs well from midfield. ‘He is full of energy but also has that composure that he can take the sting out a game. ‘He doesn’t make defencesplitting passes but he keeps the game simple, it’s not like everything is fast and furious. ‘He has that little switch in his head where he can take a deep breath, make a pass and keep it simple. ‘He wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Scott Brown. You have to look at the next stage of his career. If he goes to Celtic, will he play every week? I think he has the capability to go and play a part. ‘I think Geoff Brown came out last week and said the fee would be north of what Callum Davidson left St Johnstone for. So it would be a record fee. It’ll be interesting to see if that materialises.’ l STEPHEN CRAIGAN was speaking at the Premier Sports Cup group stage draw. Premier Sports Cup group stage draw: Group A - Hearts, Inverness, Peterhead, Cove Rangers, Stirling Albion. Group B — Dundee Utd, Arbroath, East Fife, Elgin, Kelty Hearts. Group C — Ross County, Dundee, Forfar, Montrose, Brora Rangers. Group D — Livingston, Raith Rovers, Alloa, Cowdenbeath, Brechin. Group E — Hamilton, Ayr Utd, Falkirk, Albion Rovers, Edinburgh City. Group F — Motherwell, Queen of the South, Airdrie, Annan, Queen’s Park. Group G — Kilmarnock, Morton, Clyde, Stranraer, East Kilbride. Group H — St Mirren, Dunfermline, Stenhousemuir, Partick Thistle, Dumbarton.