Derek McInnes insists both Celtic and Rangers have missed a trick by not signing Ali McCann from St Johnstone.

The Northern Ireland midfielder switched to Preston on deadline day for a £1.2million fee after helping the Saints land their historic cup double last term.

McCann was influential in the middle of the park and the age of only 21 he has a huge future in the game.

And McInnes believes he would have fitted in perfectly at either side of the Old Firm.

He wrote in the Mail on Sunday: "Last season, Callum Davidson created history by leading the club to League and Scottish Cup victories.

"Jason Kerr and Ali McCann were his two best players - the captain and the heartbeat of the team respectively.

"The St Johnstone fans have gone from celebrating a season of highs to waking up on Wednesday morning knowing both has gone.

"Kerr was moving into the last year of his contract, hence the board's decision to accept Wigan's £600,000 deadline-offer.

"But if McCann has gone for the money that is reported - £1million with a sell-on fee - then Preston have got a steal."

He continued: "McCann lacks a bit of finesse and quality with his final pass and he could probably score more goals, but he has everything else.

"He handled St Johnstone's European games and is now an international performer with Northern Ireland.

"He is a responsible midfielder, a real competitor who knows his job and is good on the ball.

"I have played and managed in the English Championship and he will deal with that fine.

"I am just surprised and disappointed that neither player has stayed in the Scottish league.

"McCann would have been an easy one for Celtic or Rangers to take and such a hard one for Callum [Davidson] to replace."