Celtic have had two bids for John McGinn turned down in July. And their hopes of acquiring his signature before the end of the summer transfer window seem slimmer than before with Hibernian demanding for £4 million, according to the Daily Record.
But could the Scottish Premiership champions get an unlikely aid from their arch-rivals bitter Old Firm rivals Rangers?
Celtic are not the only side interested in the nine-capped Scotland international McGinn. It is reported that Sunderland, who are managed by his former boss Jack Ross, had identified the 23-year-old as a top priority this summer having failed to sign him back in 2017.
But according to a report from the Scottish Sun now, Sunderland have identified Greg Docherty as a more affordable alternative. Energetic, hard-working and dynamic, the two players definitely have a few things in common.
And the report adds that Rangers, who signed the 21-year-old from Hamilton in January, would be willing to let him go on a loan move with Sunderland currently ahead several other League one clubs vying for his signature.
If the Black Cats secures Doherty, this would likely take them out of the race for McGinn and further enhance Celtic’s chance of bringing him to Celtic Park this summer. But if Brendan Rodgers really wants to see McGinn play for his side, he will have to offer far more than the £2 million bid Celtic submitted last week.