Report: The details of Middlesbrough's last-ditch bid for Celtic target Riley McGree

By David Walton

January 12, 2022

The Daily Mail has provided some details of the last-ditch attempt from Middlesbrough to stop Riley McGree signing for Celtic.

Football Scotland reported last night that talks between McGree and the Hoops had broken down. It was a massive u-turn given it had previously been said in the Daily Record that a deal had been completed.

However, late last night, the Mail claimed that Championship club Borough have come knocking. It’s stated that they offered MLS club Charlotte a further £2m more than Celtic, taking their offer to £5m. It also includes add-ons. Clearly a desperate attempt to turn things in their favour.

In addition to that, the Mail reports that they’ve handed McGree a contract worth around £14k-per-week. It remains to be seen if it’s enough to sway him in the coming days.

It’s unclear whether this offer from Middlesbrough is what has led to negotiations apparently breaking down. But there is clearly nothing finalised as of yet.

McGree is a man in demand after a productive loan spell with Birmingham City last season.

Riley McGree has plenty to think about with Celtic move anything but complete

This looked like a deal that was all set to be finalised and completed at some stage this week. Now, however, you wonder whether we’re actually going to see anything come to fruition before the week is over.

The truth is that there is plenty for McGree to think about. As he takes the next crucial step in his career, he has a right to put off making a final decision when he’s so highly-valued by many.

It’s not worth getting angry over for Celtic supporters. At the end of the day, you can understand why he would still find some appeal in the English Championship given it’s where he shone last season.

It all really comes down to whether McGree is eyeing up the English Premier League or silverware. You can understand why this would be an extremely difficult decision for him to make.

However, if his ambition is to join one of the biggest leagues in Europe one day, Celtic has always provided talented players with the platform to achieve that goal. Just look at the host of players over the last 3 years alone that we’ve sold to bigger leagues.

Hopefully we come out of this one with our 5th signing of the January window. For now, however, we continue to await the player’s decision.

In other news, Report: Celtic welcome Jota back to Lennoxtown after recovery time abroad