Hibs hit islanders for six as Mcginn watches from stand
● Celtic facing competition for Hibs star and could miss out unless they pay £4m
Celtic could lose out in their pursuit of Hibs midfielder John Mcginn unless they stump up £4million for the Scotland international.
A clutch of English clubs – from both the Premiership and Championship – have joined the hunt for the much sought-after player.
Hibs have rejected two bids from Celtic for the former St Mirren star, the second of £1.75 million, just £250,000 more than their initial offer and still well below the capital club’s valuation.
There has been no further contact between Hibs and Celtic since but it is understood the Easter Road club are baffled by the paucity of the offers they have received given that they sold Scott Brown, now the Hoops captain, to the Glasgow outfit for £4.51m a decade ago.
And they believe that comparisons between the two at the same stage of their careers show them to be very similar, Brown having played 134 games for Hibs whereas Mcginn has made 132 appearances since his move east from Paisley three years ago.
Mcginn was not in the team or on the bench as Neil Lennon’s side played their first competitive game of the season, last night’s 6-1 win over NSI Runavik from the Faroe Islands in the Europa League first qualifying round.
His absence was immediately seized upon by fans arriving at the ground as a signal Mcginn was leaving but Lennon had said yesterday that the player was carrying a “dead leg” following the weekend pre-season friendly with Blackburn Rovers.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers yesterday insisted he was unaware of any progress in Celtic’s attempt to sign Mcginn.
“I’m distant from that, to be honest,” said Rodgers. “I’m not sure where negotiations would be at. I try to coach and manage the players and let the club sort out that side of it, really. I’m not aware that we’re close to any incomings.”
It is believed Hibs have been preparing for life after Mcginn, bracing themselves for his departure this summer but it has been stressed that they are under no pressure to sell their prize asset.
There is a recognition, though, that Mcginn has ambitions to play at a higher level but, as things stand Hibs hold all the aces and there has now been contact from clubs south of the border inquiring about his situation.
Reports have suggested that Celtic are willing to wait and sign Mcginn on a pre-contract during the January transfer window when his contract would only have months to run but the English transfer deadline in early August is set to spur clubs down south into action.
St Mirren would pick up 33 per cent of any fee for Mcginn, after Hibs picked him up for a bargain £160,00 and that is something that would be a factor in any fee.
Neil Lennon admits John Mcginn has had his head turned by the recent interest in him from Celtic.
The Scotland international has been the subject of two bids from the champions, both of which have been rejected by Hibernian.
Mcginn was absent from the squad as Lennon’s side kicked off their Europa League qualifying campaign with a 6-1 rout of NSI Runavik at Easter Road, sparking concern that he was on his way out of the club.
Lennon insisted after the game that his key midfielder was absent through injury, but admitted he was not in the right frame of mind to play.
“His thigh was heavily strapped yesterday,” Lennon explained. “I know there will be a lot of conspiracy theories flying about, which is fine, but I am in control of this. I had a chat with John and it puffed up a bit last night and he slept on it. He wasn’t 100 per cent, and he is not 100 per cent mentally either, and if John is to go I need to look at what else I have got. But if he is fit to play next week, which he should be by Sunday or Monday, he will start.”
On last night’s win, Lennon said: “It was very professional.
“It’s a great advantage to take to the second leg so I couldn’t have asked any more of them really.”