McGinn says Celtic missed signing him in 2018 due to slow negotiations

Aston Villa captain John McGinn has revealed he was on the verge of joining Celtic in 2018, but the transfer collapsed because the Scottish club "dragged their heels," allowing Aston Villa to secure his signature instead. The Scotland international, who has since captained Villa to Europa League glory and Champions League qualification, discussed the failed move in a recent podcast appearance.

McGinn, a lifelong Celtic supporter and grandson of former Celtic chairman Jack McGinn, explained that he was eager to make the switch from Hibernian to Parkhead. He stated that Celtic's hierarchy appeared to assume his personal connection to the club meant the transfer would be a formality, leading them to underestimate rival interest. "I think the irony is if he [Jack McGinn] wasn't my grandpa and I wasn't a Celtic fan, I probably would be a Celtic player," McGinn said. "I think they felt because I was a Celtic fan, it would just happen, nobody else would come in and Hibs would crumble."

According to McGinn, Hibernian were cooperative but firm, insisting Celtic pay his full valuation. "They said, 'We're not going to stand in your way. We know you want to be a Celtic player, but they need...