'Maybe in the future': John McGinn won't rule out Celtic move three years since leaving Hibs for Aston Villa in 2018

John McGinn’s transfer saga dominated summer 2018 – before the Hibs midfielder finally moved to Aston Villa.

The midfielder has kicked on since then, for both club and country and it’s frequently reflected on what might have been had Celtic pounced for the childhood fan.

Instead McGinn is at Villa Park – and has no regrets over the move that has propelled his reputation as one of the most exciting midfield players in the English Premier League.

However, his desire to play at Parkhead remains with a club “etched” in his family and he wouldn’t rule out a move before he hangs up his boots for good.

John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park on April 21, 2021 (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images)

“My mum and dad grew up etched in Celtic, I wanted to play for Celtic, but it just wasn’t right.

“Maybe in the future you never know, but that’s something I can’t affect now. It’s passed.

“Villa got a takeover and I knew there was a wee bit of interest.

“We went to the training ground and the stadium and the way I was treated was perfect,” said McGinn.

While Scottish football waited on the will-he-won’t-he deal as talks between Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell at Celtic and Hibs’ Rod Petrie progressed, McGinn was also on tenterhooks before plumping for the Premier League with Celtic dragging their heels on a £3million move.

Speaking to the Graham Hunter Big Interview, the 26-year-old added: “When that first offer comes in you start thinking, ‘It’s done, it’s going to happen’.

"It was just a waiting game, the longest ever it ended up.

McGinn went on: “I’d been told, ‘Celtic are going to make an offer today’, and not to play [a European qualifier for Hibs against NSI Runavik] - I’d be cup tied for the European games coming up for Celtic.

“So I’m waiting all day, nothing happens.

“I just thought, ‘You know what? I’m playing. Nothing’s happened’.

“I scored that night and it was a good performance in a bit of a wild game.”

Hibs won 6-4 in the Faroe Islands and then McGinn decided upon a move to England where he’s scored 11 goals in just over 100 appearances – plus 10 in 32 Scotland appearances.

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