By support

21st Mar, 2018 | 10:36pm

Top-flight 23-year-old has big chance to prove he is Celtic material in international clashes

COMMENT

Hibernian midfielder John McGinn has long been thought of as a successor to Scott Brown for both Celtic and Scotland, and the top-flight ace has a chance to show that he can replace the Hoops skipper for club and country very soon.

McGinn is set to take Brown’s role in central midfield for the upcoming Scotland games against both Costa Rica and Hungary, following the Hoops skipper’s retirement from international football.

These could be career defining games for the 23-year-old, who has long been linked with the Hoops, most recently during the January transfer window when the Daily Mail reported that the Hoops were interested in the player.

If McGinn is able to dominate and control the midfield in the style of Brown, then Brendan Rodgers may well think about making a move for the player in the January transfer window.

McGinn and Brown have had some combative duels this season, particularly in a pair of 2-2 draws between the clubs this season, where McGinn has stood up well against the Hoops skipper, he didn’t seem intimidated by Brown.

There is likely to be more than a few clubs interested in McGinn in the summer, so if the Hoops want to get the deal done they will have to do it as soon as the season ends, with their trump card perhaps Scott Allan, who could well move to Easter Road as part of the deal.

We shall know far more about McGinn’s abilities as a player after the Scotland double-header.

In other Celtic news, the Hoops have been linked with Real Zaragoza centre-forward Borja Iglesias

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