Hibernian Football Club managed to rebuff any attempts from Nottingham Forest on the final day of the transfer window as they English Championship side tried to lure John McGinn down south.

Forest had an offer of around £750k flatly turned down but speculation continued with some suggesting a bid of as high as £3m was being discussed at the City Ground.

Hibs boss Neil Lennon has stated that he thinks that the midfielder is worth a greater fee:

“I would value John at £5m, but there has been no bid in our valuation that has come in.”

Hibees up and down the land are also delighted to have kept hold of their star man as he’s one of those players that excites them.

The player himself has just won his fourth cap for Scotland, he won most of them while Hibs were in the Scottish Championship which shows you how talented he is.

McGinn has also publicly announced he’s happy to still be plying his trade at Easter Road:

“I was a Hibs player before the window, I’m still a Hibs player, so that’s fine by me.”

It’s refreshing to see a player come out and show his appreciation for his current surroundings rather than have their head turned by the money being offered elsewhere.

Too many in football these days are in a great rush to get to the gold pot as soon as they can. But unfortunately rushing to the dream doesn’t always mean that the dream lasts.

McGinn was a talent at St Mirren and he has progressed significantly at Hibs under Alan Stubbs and Lennon. He has won the League Cup with the Buddies and the Scottish Cup with the capital side.

He’s a dynamic central midfielder who has impressed since Hibs arrival back in the Scottish Premiership. John’s good on the ball, composed, not scared of a challenge and makes great runs from midfield.

The twenty-two year old seems to be improving after each and every game. Getting another year under his belt in Scotland’s top flight will benefit him no end, playing for a team with an enjoyable style against tougher opponents will help develop his game. He’s settled at Hibs, likes the responsibility that he’s given there and links up well with Marvin Bartley in the engine room.

It should also be noted that working under Lennon for another term will give the Glaswegian more than going down to Forest and adjusting to life at a club in transition. Lennon has a rich history of playing in midfield in the English Premier League, Scotland’s top tier and the Champions League. McGinn will surely be enriched learning from such an individual. Plus don’t forget that Lennon has also won league titles as a coach and helped in the development of Victor Wanyama and Virgil van Dijk.

John McGinn will also learn a lot from his Scotland teammates Darren Fletcher, Scott Brown and James McArthur.

Hibs will be delighted to have kept hold of such a talented player in McGinn but I think the player himself was the real winner on transfer deadline day. Staying at Easter Road will see him playing week in and week out and I have no doubts that he’ll have an even greater impact on his side’s fortunes and garner more attention due to his displays.

Hopefully he can add more goals to his game as that’s an area where he can still improve on.

A bid may come in January but I hope that too is rejected unless it’s for a sizeable fee. I think next summer will be the ideal time for him to leave Edinburgh and I believe the midfield stalwart will be ready for whatever big challenge awaits!

Posted on September 3rd, 2017 by scott
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