Brendan Rodgers has managed to make a strong Celtic side even stronger, as they walked their way to yet another league title in Scotland. The former Liverpool manager will now want to make an impact in Europe and will look to add some established stars to his first team this summer, to help them compete with the best next season.
But Rodgers is also looking at players who can improve the depth in his side and one such player he is desperate for is John McGinn.
Born and brought up in Glasgow, McGinn started his senior career with St Mirren before being picked up by Hibernian in 2015. He took no time to establish himself in the first team, making 36 appearances in the first season for the Hibs. He was one of the most effective and consistent players for the side last season, picking up six goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.
He broke into the national side in 2016 and already has nine international caps and at just 23, he is certainly a star for the future. So it does not come as a surprise that Celtic are leading the race for his signature this summer.
A central midfielder by trait, McGinn is a smart player, who loves to have the ball at his feet. He is versatile and can play in any of the midfield roles but is at his best in a box-to-box role, where he can be effective at both ends of the field.
He is a hard-working player, who is ready to throw himself around but his biggest strength remains his ability to read the game. He is quick to cut off passing lanes and wins the ball back quite consistently, keeping his side on the front foot for most of the game.
He can also dribble past opponents and has decent technique to create chances galore and adds a lot of balance to the side he plays for. At just 23, he is only going to improve by the game and playing for the best team in Scotland will only get the best out of him.
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However, reports now suggest that Frank Lampard is determined to take McGinn to Pride Park this summer. He is ready to make a £3m bid for his services, which Hibernian will not be able to reject. But this should not be a problem for Celtic, as joining Rodgers’ side is the best way forward for the youngster.
Derby managed to make it into the playoffs in the last term, only to see themselves getting beaten by the eventual winners Fulham. The Rams, however, look determined to better their season this time around and the addition of a player like McGinn will definitely boost their chances. However, the Hoops will also look to rope the player in without further ado and this might be an intense contest to witness for the faithful of the clubs.
