AUGUST 9 will be the crucial date in the John McGinn transfer saga.
That is the last day of the English transfer transfer window while Celtic, who have had three bids knocked back, have until the end of the month to make their move for the Hibs midfielder.
The Easter Road side have hinted the Hoops are not the only club interested in their 23-year-old Scotland international and there has been speculation linking the player with Derby County, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest.
However, it is believed McGinn, whose grandfather Jack is a former Celtic chairman, has told the Edinburgh outfit his preferred choice is Parkhead.
The Hoops’ last offer was in the region of £2million which falls short of chairman Rod Petrie’s evaluation of the former St Mirren star which is around the £3million mark.
McGinn has only 12 days to wait to see if any club from across the border will meet that asking price.
That will leave the door open for the seven-in-a-row champions – unless, of course, another European club, with an August 31 deadline, have the player in their sights.
The all-action powerhouse is a free agent next summer and will be able to talk to interested teams in January to arrange a pre-contract.
Celtic Park still looks his most likely destination.
