---
title: "Celtic: Preston feared late Ali McCann swoop from Hoops"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-preston-feared-late-ali-mccann-swoop-from-hoops/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-09-05T19:10:06Z"
modified: "2021-09-05T19:10:06Z"
---

# Celtic: Preston feared late Ali McCann swoop from Hoops

**Preston North End feared that Celtic may have made a late swoop for midfielder Ali McCann on deadline day, according to [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/) (05.09.21, pg. 62), as cited by [The 72](https://the72.co.uk/249502/preston-north-end-feared-late-celtic-hijack-before-signing-ali-mccann-on-deadline-day/).**

### The Lowdown: McCann on the move

Celtic were extremely busy in the final hours of the transfer window, bringing in [Cameron Carter-Vickers](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1432839838974287875) from Tottenham with minutes remaining prior to the deadline along with sealing a late move for [Georgios Giakoumakis](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12396075/celtic-transfer-news-georgios-giakoumakis-joins-parkhead-side-from-vvv-venlo-on-a-five-year-deal).

McCann was also on the move, completing a switch from St Johnstone to English Championship side Preston with just [five seconds](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1434463551108833280) to spare before the transfer deadline. The Hoops were [linked](https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-deadline-day-will-griggs-sunderland-departure-moves-closer-as-two-clubs-fight-for-signature-40804600.html) with a move for him late in the window, but a £3m asking price appeared to put them off.

The 21-year-old actually cost just [£1.2m](https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-deadline-day-ali-mccann-makes-shock-12m-move-to-championship-while-will-grigg-deal-finally-goes-through-and-linfield-star-staying-40807555.html), and it seems as if the Hoops may have tried their luck with a late swoop.

\[freshpress-poll id=”372828″\]

### The Latest: Preston’s fear

According to [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/) (05.09.21, pg. 62), as cited by [The 72](https://the72.co.uk/249502/preston-north-end-feared-late-celtic-hijack-before-signing-ali-mccann-on-deadline-day/), Preston were fearing a late hijack from the Hoops in the hunt for McCann.

Celtic had an extra hour until the Scottish window slammed shut, and if the Deepdale club didn’t get a deal over the line, they were worried that the Hoops could have acted after the English deadline.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368506″\]

### The Verdict: Missed a trick

Transferred for just £1.2m, Celtic may live to regret not making their move for McCann this summer.

They have enjoyed success in bringing a young Scottish midfielder to Celtic Park from a fellow Scottish side in David Turnbull from Motherwell, so McCann could have been the next one to follow suit.

Dominic McKay brought in [James McCarthy](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/transfers/verein/371) over the summer, while [Liam Shaw](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/transfers/verein/371) penned pre-contract terms earlier in the year, but Celtic could be short in the middle following the departures of [Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Christie](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/transfers/verein/371).

Hopefully it isn’t a repeat of the [John McGinn saga](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44794445) back in 2018.

***In other news:*** [***‘Seriously?’ – Lots of Celtic fans react to Ryan Christie’s social media post***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-fans-react-to-ryan-christies-social-media-post/)