Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football has reached new heights in the past decade with seven successive league titles and the introduction of Brendan Rodgers as the new Parkhead chief saw them grabbing consecutive domestic trebles despite famous rivals Rangers‘ return to the Premiership circuit. The Hoops, however, have been in confusion while chasing the signing of Hibernian midfield general John McGinn in recent weeks and have now decided not to increase their tabled £2m offer for the 23-year-old Scotsman, MailSport understands.
Although the Light Blues have announced 10 new signings already under new boss Steven Gerrard, Celtic, on the contrary, are extremely quiet since tying down Scott Bain and Odsonne Edouard on permanent deals following impressive loan spells last term.
Edouard, the former Paris St-Germain prodigy, has been wrapped up on a club-record transfer and the Bhoys were optimistic about breaking Hibs’ resilience for their prized resource, who played a massive part in securing a Europa League qualifiers berth following their return to top-flight Scottish football. However, the Glasgow giants are not willing to meet the reported £3m valuation of the Edinburgh-based outfit and it is time to switch their sights elsewhere to strengthen those areas that should be prioritized and need attention.
They already got ample of options in the middle of the park in form of skipper Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham, versatile Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie along with Nir Bitton who is set to rejoin the group in a couple of months time following a season-ending knee operation earlier this year. Also, the 20-year-old Eboue Kouassi is waiting for opportunities since joining from Russian outfit Krasnodar and the former Liverpool boss should rely on the gifted Ivorian over investing on a new resource.
The area Rodgers should look to strengthen upon is down the wings with Manchester City starlet Patrick Roberts’ departure following a successful two and a half year loan stint and Chelsea’s decision of recalling Charly Musonda due to lack of opportunities. Injury-plagued Jonny Hayes has not settled in well which leaves the gaffer with James Forrest and Scott Sinclair as his only two experienced wide attacking options for a long season ahead.
The former St Mirren prodigy Lewis Morgan might have a major role to play for this term, however, the left winger should be allowed more time to settle in Premiership environment where the pressure will be immense to deliver week in week out, to continue the title-winning streak.
The analysis points out the necessity of a wide forward, most preferably down the right flank, who will be good enough to be rotated with Forrest just like Roberts used to be during his momentous spell at Celtic Park. So signing McGinn can wait, as Rodgers has areas in his squad that he needs to address urgently this summer.
