One of Celtic’s most intriguing Champions League clashes this season will see them take on English Premier League outfit Aston Villa away from home.
The Hoops would have more than fancied their chances against the Birmingham side at Parkhead but at Villa Park, it will be a totally different dynamic.
Brendan Rodgers will hope Celtic’s fate is already secured by the time the matchday eight clash comes around, and that the Scottish champions don’t have to head down south in need of a result.
That would be the ideal scenario for John McGinn, too, who has mixed feelings over the draw.
A boyhood Celtic fan who regularly casts up his love for the Hoops, the 29-year-old is glad the battle of Britain isn’t until the new year.
Now with his Scotland teammates on international duty, he recently reacted to last Thursday’s draw.
“I’m absolutely delighted it’s January”, he said (The Scottish Sun).
“I had that two days (after the draw) with my phone off, then when I found out it was the last game, I was like, ‘Right, I’ll deal with that after Christmas’.”
Given he is Villa captain, McGinn will be expected to lead the way against Celtic.
While he is a known supporter of the club, playing against the Bhoys hasn’t fazed him previously.
Indeed, the midfielder came to Parkhead with Hibs in 2017 and bagged a brace as the Leith outfit earned an impressive 2-2 draw.
His Villa teammates would welcome a similar performance this time around, but McGinn’s Celtic supporting family will want a different outcome.
“All my pals, all my family, I’m sure they’ll be wanting Celtic to win”, revealed the midfielder.
“But it’s something I’ve dealt with in the past with St. Mirren and Hibs.
“I always manage to kind of blank it out I think.
“You always have your team that you support growing up, your childhood team and it never, never leaves you.”
