Aston Villa’s John McGinn was linked with a move to Rangers last May.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn says Rangers have started to challenge again under manager Steven Gerrard and his presence is good for the Scottish game, he told the official Aston Villa podcast.
“I still think he [Gerrard] will be surprised by the scale and size of what Rangers is. Celtic and Rangers are massive in that fishbowl and sometimes it can be very difficult,” the former Hibs man McGinn explained.
“I think so far he has made Rangers challenge again which is important. They look more organised and stronger, and now they’re in the group stages of the Europa League so it’s good for the Scottish game. Hopefully it can keep on improving.”
McGinn was linked with a move to Rangers at the beginning of the summer (the Daily Record), but the former Hibs man opted to move south of the border to Villa instead of joining one of the Old Firm rivals.
But the nine-capped international is still keeping tabs on the goings-on back in his native Scotland, where Rangers under the guidance of Gerrard are looking to close the gap on rivals Celtic.
The former Liverpool midfielder managed to go 12 games unbeaten into his reign at Ibrox, but Scottish Premiership champions Celtic inflicted Gerrard’s first defeat as boss as the Hoops won the first Old Firm derby 1-0 at Celtic Park before the international break.
But despite the defeat, McGinn feels Rangers are challenging again and that can be evident from their progression in the Europa League, which can only be good for Scottish football.
With the likes of the Gers and Celtic doing well in European competitions, the Scottish Premiership will benefit via coefficient points while down the line top-quality players may once again ply their trade north of the border.
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