Why Celtic should submit an improved bid for this Scottish PFA Player of the Year nominee

Why Celtic should submit an improved bid for Hibernian midfielder John McGinn

Scottish champions Celtic have had a bid rejected for Hibernian midfielder John McGinn, as per reports from Sky Sports. 

The Scotland international had been linked with a move to the Hoops all summer and the club have now acted upon their interest but have seen their offer get knocked back by the Hibs.  

Having signed for the Hibs back in the summer of 2015 from St. Mirren, McGinn has grown from strength to strength with each passing season and has established himself as one of the finest young footballers in the country. 

The midfielder led them to the Scottish Championship title in the 2016/17 campaign, helping them achieve promotion to the top-flight. He made 37 appearances in that successful campaign, scoring 5 times and registering 10 assists on his way to being crowned the Scottish Championship Player of the Year.

He came up with a return of 6 goals and 8 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions in the 2017/18 season, helping the Hibs to the 4th spot in the Scottish Premiership table upon their return. 

McGinn’s performance in the 2-2 draw against Celtic in the first half of the season was a major highlight of his campaign. His displays in the middle of the park saw him earn a nomination for the Scottish PFA Player of the Year but he was beaten to it by Hoops captain Scott Brown in the end.   

A central midfielder by trade, McGinn has earned a reputation for the industry and the work rate that he brings to the engine room in central midfield. The 23-year-old is known to be a strong tackler and is an intelligent footballer, with good reading and anticipation skills. 

Technically adept with good energy and stamina, McGinn has made the box-to-box role his own for the Hibs over the past three seasons.  

Having sold midfield mainstay Stuart Armstrong to Premier League side Southampton this summer, Celtic have a spot vacant in the middle of the park. Brown may have had another brilliant season but he is not getting any younger, while Olivier Ntcham is a different kind of player altogether.  

In McGinn, the Hoops will be getting a player who has proven himself at this level and has grown into one of the best in Scotland in the past couple of seasons. Just 23 years of age, he will only continue to improve and get better from here on, making him an exciting prospect for the reigning champions.

Read more: Why Rangers must do everything in their powers to sign this 33-year-old Premier League veteran

This is exactly why they should up their bid for the midfielder from the £1.5million that was rejected by the Hibs.