St Johnstone’s Ali McCann has been scouted by Celtic and several teams down south are keen – with Derek McInnes no stranger to the reasons why.
The Northern Ireland international has a £3 million asking price as his stock continues to rise at the Scottish Premiership club. Celtic scouted him twice as St Johnstone won a League Cup and Scottish Cup double last season while there is mounting English Football League interest. McInnes has even received calls from interested parties.
McCann is wanted north and south of the border. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
But the former Aberdeen and St Johnstone manager knows his former club are in a strong position not to sell McCann. After two outstanding displays against Galatasaray in the Europa League third round qualifiers this month though, McInnes believes a time will come for McCann to depart.
He said (DM): “Once again, Ali McCann impressed for Saints. The midfielder has two years left on his contract, so St Johnstone don’t have to sell this season unless they get an offer. To maximise the sale, they probably should look to sell in the next couple of windows from a business point of view.
“I’ve taken numerous calls from colleagues in England over the past six months asking about him. I always wax lyrical about him. I think he’s perfect to go and play in England and at a higher level. But he is a St Johnstone player, they have been good for him and it has to be on the club’s terms when he does go.
“It’s a certainty that he will move at some point. His career is going one way.”
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