Riley McGree puts his decision on hold

Riley McGree is unlikely to sign for Middlesbrough before the weekend. 

That is the line being used by Keith Downie of Sky Sports who covers the north-east with the main focus obviously on Newcastle. 

Today’s leaked updates seemed to suggest that the Middlesbrough deal was cut and dried but if it isn’t to be completed by the weekend the door is open to further developments. 

The midfielder, once of Adelaide United certainly seems to fit the bill for an Ange Postecoglou signing but the Celtic boss won’t be impressed by the public nature of this proposed transfer. 

Importantly the player hasn’t said a word since leaving Birmingham, neither Celtic or Middlesbrough have been described as his dream move. 

This week’s developments look like an agent ensuring that their client is in the spotlight, if two clubs are in public negotiations the agent has done their job. 

The final decision is likely to come down to the player, it is unlikely that the offers from Celtic and Middlesbrough are poles apart. 

There could be a large bonus and wages increase on the table if Middlesbrough win promotion but a place in the EPL might also bring in a raft of new signings at the Riverside. 

Four days after Celtic’s interest was declared in the Daily Mail it seems that no definite decision has been taken. Until the quirky social media videos are released the future of McGree is still unclear.