It was the saga of the summer but now some Celtic fans are counting their lucky stars!
The debacle of the John McGinn transfer which seen the bhoys in pole position to sign the midfielder from Hibs to losing out to Aston Villa.
It was a black mark against the name of Peter Lawwell for not landing one of Brendan Rodgers’ top targets for the summer.
After Armstrong was allowed to go for £7million the Chief executive was tasked with bringing the player in from Hibernian. With McGinn being a Celtic fan who was coming into the last year of his deal – it seemed like an easy layup.
However, things would go south, literally, when Lawwell played it cool and tried to haggle with Hibernian.
It resulted in McGinn heading down Birmingham in the final days of the window with Villa matching Hibs asking price. Celtic then matched it but it was too late.
The fallout from that deal was felt. Brendan Rodgers let rip in a press conference that he wasn’t happy and it seemed to negatively impact on Celtic’s start to the season. That and Celtic inability to sign anyone really.
Fast forward to now and Celtic fans are pinching themselves at the prospect of Ryan Christie being the man to replace Stuart Armstrong with the young midfielder emerging from the shadows at Celtic Park to featuring prominently in Celtic’s last four matches!
It’s quite extraordinary and it’s no wonder these fans are commenting on the failed transfer with relief.
I was gutted when we missed out on John McGinn. Cracking wee player. But if it means that Ryan Christie got his chance it may well have been a blessing in disguise ?
— Belfast Bhoy (@BhoyfromBelfast) November 8, 2018
Ryan Christie last night and in recent weeks …
Anyone upset we sold Armstrong or missed out on John McGinn now?— The Big Cup (@lisboninthesun) November 9, 2018
I'd rather those lights than John Mcginn any day
— John Fleming (@fleming__67) November 9, 2018
Those disco lights are so peng I'm so glad we spent £2m+ on them instead of spending the money on John McGinn
— SM (@SM1967_) November 8, 2018
Glad that so many of the Twitter Celtic Managers, who wanted John McGinn signed, didn’t get their wish to get shot of Ryan Christie in the summer ?
— FaithfulThru&Thru (@BhoyEddie2) November 8, 2018
I can’t help but shake my head when I read this stuff about how Celtic blew it over McGinn.
I can’t believe how the Scottish media are inside your heads, turning you against the board and management.
Very simple, John McGinn spoke with Celtic before signing for Villa. He was given the opportunity to sign for us but he rejected that offer.
He chose Villa. God only knows why, but he chose them over us and the media have you swallowing the bait, hook, line and sinker!
I suspect McGinn took the easy option knowing he was unlikely to get a starting place in our team.
Joe
You’ll never make a journalist Joe , you talk far too much common sense. I think your tendency to tell the truth would also be a hindrance.
Joe
Remember wee are the minority wee may be the better but the minority all the same. The papers need the orange money so as long as wee know the truth that’s all that matters my good Tim. Hail hail.