Do Celtic see McGinn as a squad player after refusing to budge in transfer saga?

With Parkhead chiefs refusing to go over £2m to get him according to the Daily Record, where would John McGinn fit into the Celtic squad?

The long-running saga has seen Hibernian reject several offers for their prized-asset, with Celtic so far failing in their pursuit to tempt the Edinburgh side to allow them to speak with the midfielder.

However, with Celtic refusing to go over such a low amount, do they see McGinn as a key component of what they’re trying to build?

The elephant in the room remains the 23-year-old’s contract situation, with just a year left on it. It could be that Celtic plan to simply bag McGinn for nothing in January, but this would mean they wouldn’t get him until next summer.

This makes you wonder whether Celtic feel the really need McGinn. After all, after playing for Hibernian in their Europa League qualifiers, he’s now ineligible to play in Celtic’s Champions League qualification campaign. He would only be available should Celtic reach the group stages, but would McGinn make a big difference against that quality of opposition?

Celtic also clearly don’t need him domestically, given they’ve already sewn up back-to-back trebles without him in the last two years under Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops have also been stockpiling cash in recent years after big-name departures combined with qualification for the Champions League. Therefore, if they really wanted McGinn, then it wouldn’t be a big ask to shell out an extra £1m.

For now, it appears as though Celtic would’ve seen McGinn as simply nice to have on board. However, an essential part of the jigsaw? Perhaps not at this stage.