Oh, what could have been with John McGinn and Celtic.
It’s a ‘what if’ story that will be told 100 times over, but Celtic not signing McGinn in 2018 is now one those in charge at the time will live to regret.
Everyone is aware that McGinn is a boyhood Celtic fan, and as he was taking in Aston Villa lifting the Europa League on Wednesday night in Istanbul, those childhood memories were flooding back.
The 31-year-old grew up when Martin O’Neill came in for his first legendary spell in Glasgow.
The all-action midfielder would have watched that super team reach the UEFA Cup Final in 2003 against Porto, which an emotional McGinn mentioned in his post-match interview straight after Villa’s thumping win over Freiburg.
“It means a lot,” said McGinn about winning the Europa League.
“As a kid growing up, I can remember it wasn’t a great night for Celtic, but that night, when Celtic played in Seville in 2003, I thought, ‘Wow, that’s special.’”
Will John McGinn ever play for Celtic in his career?
Celtic memories flood back for John McGinn after Aston Villa win the Europa League
Celtic’s defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Porto was one of the most heartbreaking losses any Hoops fan had to endure.
McGinn would have been just nine at the time, having watched O’Neill win the Treble in his first season, but suffer that gut-wrenching and undeserving loss years later.
Villa’s skipper, who joined the Midlands side when they were in England’s second-tier in 2018, stated that his own Europa League final moment is now ‘the proudest night of my career.’
Stan Petrov: “What does this European trophy mean to you? I met your family at the airport. Big family, it’s expensive. What does that mean for you?”
McGinn: “It means a lot. As a kid growing up, I can remember it wasn’t a great night for Celtic, but that night, when Celtic played in Seville in 2003, I thought, ‘wow, that’s special.’
“I was lucky enough to go to the 2007 UEFA Cup Final at Hampden.
“So, to be here in 2026, as captain of Aston Villa, is incredible. It’s the proudest night of my career so far. I am going to try to enjoy it. I like to party sometimes. But tonight I will try to take it easy. Soak it all in.
“For me, being 31, my first European final, I watched my mates win trophies. Andy Robertson and Jack Grealish, so it’s my turn. Maybe not the big one that they have won.
“But to me, it’s so, so special and I will cherish every minute.”
Will McGinn ever play for Celtic?
This trophy lift for McGinn is rather interesting because he has now written his name in Villa’s legendary books and done what he always set out to do.
Yes, Villa and Unai Emery can still go to another level, but you just wonder if that Celtic door will ever open again.
Some might look at his age, he will be 32 in October, but he is still a key player for a Villa side that will be in the Champions League next season, and as important for Scotland heading to the World Cup this summer.
One thing is for sure: McGinn is the exact type of player Callum McGregor needs beside him, as Celtic aim to refresh and rebuild the squad.
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