Celtic are in a title race like no other in Scotland.
So far, Celtic are lagging behind long-time leaders Hearts and second-placed Rangers, with John McGinn calling it ‘the most exciting title race’ he has probably witnessed in the last three decades.
Certainly, in recent times, Celtic have dominated in Scotland, and the norm is for either the Hoops or Rangers to win the main crown.
But watching from afar, McGinn is loving what is unfolding in Scotland because it’s different to what everyone is used to.
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John McGinn on ‘exciting’ title race in Scotland
Even though McGinn hasn’t played in Scotland since 2018, when he left Hibernian for Aston Villa, he told Premier Sports that he still wants the league to ‘flourish.’
The Scotland midfielder joked that he wants ‘Falkirk’ to become champions of Scotland when asked to pick a winner, with some even suggesting that Motherwell are also part of the title race, alongside Celtic, Hearts and Rangers.
Either way, McGinn thinks ‘you can’t call it’, as he gave Scottish football its flowers for what it is producing this term.
McGinn: “I want the Scottish league to flourish. I am watching probably the most exciting title race in the last 20 or 30 years.”
Alan Hutton: “But who is going to win it, John?”
McGinn chuckles and adds: “Falkirk (McGinn’s older brother is on their coaching staff).”
Darrell Currie: “John, seriously, watching from afar, what a mad season we have had in Scottish football. Can you call it at the moment?”
McGinn: “No, you can’t call it. You look at it, and you can’t rule anyone out. You look at the fixtures, and you think, ‘Oh, these have got an easier run than the others.'”
McGinn wants ‘unpredictable’ Scottish title race to continue ‘for the next few years’
The last time a team outside of Glasgow won the Scottish Premiership was the 1984/85 season when Sir Alex Ferguson guided Aberdeen to glory.
Whilst McGinn is loving the ‘unpredictable’ nature of this season’s title race, he was honest enough to state that he wants it to continue ‘for the next few years.’
McGinn even highlighted Rangers’ dropped points at ten-man Livingston on Sunday, and how even Scotland’s bottom-table club is now proving to be a difficult fixture.
“But it’s so unpredictable, and it’s brilliant,” added McGinn. “I think it’s a breath of fresh air. Hopefully, for the next few years, it can continue like that.
“Even Livingston, under Marv (Bartley) have found a new lease of life. Teams will now go to Livi and think, ‘we might drop points here.’ It proved against Rangers. Probably deserving of a point.”
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