---
title: "Celtic: Hoops still hold interest in Ali McCann"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-still-hold-interest-in-ali-mccann/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-05-28T19:40:31Z"
modified: "2021-05-28T19:40:31Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops still hold interest in Ali McCann

**Celtic have flagged up their interest in St Johnstone midfielder Ali McCann, according to the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fergal-harkin-edges-closer-celtic-24200757).**

### The Lowdown: Hoops’ previous scouting trips

Celtic have been keeping a close eye on McCann over the last six months.

[Reports](https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/celtic-scout-watches-again-as-new-northern-ireland-star-ali-mccann-admits-ambition-following-successful-club-return-39776695.html) back in November claimed that Hoops scout Tosh McKinlay watched the midfielder in action, whereas [John Kennedy admitted earlier this month](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57085895) the Hoops are aware of the midfielder.

McCann can play as a [defensive, central and attacking midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ali-mccann/profil/spieler/450714) and is under contract with St Johnstone until [2023](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ali-mccann/profil/spieler/450714).

### The Latest: Celtic flag up interest

The [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fergal-harkin-edges-closer-celtic-24200757) dropped a line on McCann in a piece mainly on Celtic’s pursuit of Manchester City man Fergal Harkin as their director of football.

They suggested that McCann has been flagged up at Celtic Park as a potential addition, as well as Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet.

McCann, who has two caps for Northern Ireland, made [43](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ali-mccann/leistungsdaten/spieler/450714) appearances for St Johnstone in the 2020/21 campaign, [scoring twice and registering two assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ali-mccann/leistungsdaten/spieler/450714).

### The Verdict: A solid long-term addition?

The majority of McCann’s displays this season [came as a central midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ali-mccann/leistungsdaten/spieler/450714), an area of the pitch where it seems the Hoops need to strengthen.

[Scott Brown will be an Aberdeen player next season](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55258684), whereas [reports](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-celtic-terminate-contract-of-ntcham-in-shock-move/) have hinted that the Hoops will terminate Olivier Ntcham’s deal next month.

That could leave Celtic with Ismaila Soro, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull as [central midfielders](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/kader/verein/371/saison_id/2020), so bringing in McCann could prove a shrewd move in the long run.

He’s made over [60](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ali-mccann/leistungsdaten/spieler/450714) appearances in the Scottish Premiership at just 21 years of age and was described as [‘impressive’ by Kennedy](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57085895), so a deal could be one worth pursuing.

***In other news: Celtic linked with move for Spanish defender, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-hoops-make-approach-for-barcelona-youngster/).***