Celtic’s next focus in Europe will be a home clash against Young Boys.
But Celtic’s Champions League clash against Aston Villa on January 29 is the one fans are probably looking forward to the most because it will be the first time the two British sides will meet.
There are a lot of connections and stories here, from Martin O’Neill being highly thought of for both clubs and John McGinn expected to face his boyhood club.
McGinn could have signed for Celtic before he joined the Midlands side from Hibernian in 2018 and he has since gone on to forge a very good career.
From scoring goals for fun in Scotland colours and guiding them to major tournaments, and then helping Villa to the Champions League.
When the draw was made in August for the revamped Champions League format, McGinn’s phone would have been bombarded with messages because it was a home clash against Celtic pencilled in, but now he might have to watch from the sidelines.
John McGinn suffers hamstring injury for Aston Villa
McGinn started Villa’s win over Leicester City on Saturday, but he was forced off in the first half and unable to continue as he was clutching his leg.
Villa boss Unai Emery has now confirmed that his skipper has picked up a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined, for at least, several weeks.
It’s likely that the 30-year-old now misses the Celtic game, which is a boost for the Bhoys because he is such a big player for the English side, but equally, fans won’t be able to see Callum McGregor and McGinn battling it out in the middle of the park on Europe’s biggest stage.
“I think it could be hamstring,” said Emery, as posted by John Townley on Twitter. “He could be out for two, three, four, five weeks.”
What McGinn said about facing Celtic in the Champions League
McGinn will go for a scan and that will determine the full extent of his injury, but you presume he will now have to watch the Celtic game from the sidelines.
He has previously spoken about facing his boyhood team and how his family will be cheering on the champions of Scotland.
The Villa star also stated that, when the draw was made, he joked with Greg Taylor and James Forrest about the fixture.
“It never affected me as a player (facing Celtic),” McGinn told the Daily Record in September. “I made my St Mirren debut against Celtic. I always managed to do alright against them. So, hopefully, it’s the same in January.
“Obviously it’s my first experience in the Champions League, it’s very exciting for me and obviously to play against Celtic. It’ll be a bit strange, I spoke to Greg Taylor and James Forrest and we just had a laugh about it. But when the game comes up we’ll be wanting to beat each other on the biggest stage.
“Was I hoping to get Celtic? Not really! Family and friends, they always want to come and see the biggest of games. But when it was Celtic, the phone was going off the hook. I thought about it and I thought, nah, I’d have rather somebody else because nobody would want to come and see Monaco at home! I’m sure they’ll be wanting Celtic to win. But it’s something I’ve dealt with in the past with St Mirren and Hibs. I’ve got a job to do for Villa and I’m sure it’ll be an exciting game for everyone.”
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