JOHN McGINN has refused to rule out the possibility of playing for Celtic in the future.
The 25-year-old Scotland international midfielder revealed he had his heart set on a move to his boyhood idols last summer before he completed a £2.75million switch from Hibs to Aston Villa.
It looked as though McGinn was on his way to Parkhead, but two bids were rejected before the Midlands side had their offer accepted.
The powerhouse engine-room operator, speaking to BT Sport Scottish Football Extra, admitted he got caught up in a difficult situation.
McGinn, whose grandfather Jack is a former Hoops chairman, said: “It was awful. The summer was extremely tough for me, especially as it was such an important time for Hibs.
“I think Celtic had a few offers at the time and openly I had my heart set on it. I’d spoken to everyone at Hibs, including Neil Lennon, who ironically is now the Celtic manager.
“I’m wrapped in a Celtic bubble up the road. A lot of my family are Celtic fans and all my friends go and follow them home and away. At the time it was so tough. Every day I was getting the questions and even I didn’t know what was going on.”
McGinn became a key member of ex-boss Steve Bruce’s side that earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs and the Scot is adding to his growing reputation in the English top flight.
Could he some day don those green and white hoops?
“You never say never in football,” he added. “When you’ve got that instilled in you it never really does leave you.
“Obviously, the circumstances mean that I’m now an Aston Villa player, but I’ll just take each year as it comes and if it does happen down the line, then who knows?”
