Preston North End feared that Celtic may have made a late swoop for midfielder Ali McCann on deadline day, according to The Sun (05.09.21, pg. 62), as cited by The 72.

The Lowdown: McCann on the move

Celtic were extremely busy in the final hours of the transfer window, bringing in Cameron Carter-Vickers from Tottenham with minutes remaining prior to the deadline along with sealing a late move for Georgios Giakoumakis.

McCann was also on the move, completing a switch from St Johnstone to English Championship side Preston with just five seconds to spare before the transfer deadline. The Hoops were linked 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, and it seems as if the Hoops may have tried their luck with a late swoop.

The Latest: Preston’s fear

According to The Sun (05.09.21, pg. 62), as cited by The 72, 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.

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 over the summer, while Liam Shaw 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.

Hopefully it isn’t a repeat of the John McGinn saga back in 2018.

In other news: 'Seriously?' - Lots of Celtic fans react to Ryan Christie's social media post