Stephen McGinn, the brother of the Scotland star, has thanked Aston Villa manager Dean Smith for helping him progress, as he told talkSPORT on Wednesday.
Ever since Villa snapped up John McGinn’s talents as an unknown figure from Hibernian in 2018, he has gone onto be one of the club’s best-ever signings.
Not only did McGinn win Supporters Player of the Season in his debut campaign with the Midlands giants, but he also produced a Man of the Match display and scored the vital goal that helped the club earn promotion to the Premier League in the Championship play-off final.
And with McGinn continuing those performances in England’s top-flight, his brother has praised his club boss for helping him reach these heights.
“He has a lot to thank Dean Smith for that (his goalscoring for Scotland),” said McGinn. “It’s a position he’s really pushed him on and took him to a new level.
“I know he’s been a little disappointed with his goal tally with Villa this season, but with Scotland, he’s lived up to the position.”
Jack Grealish is the obvious fan favourite amongst the Claret & Blue faithful, but if there’s anyone to match him for that top spot then it’s McGinn.
His unique style, aggressive nature and bulldog-like scrapping when he’s trying to gain control of the ball from the opposition is what makes him so loved by the supporters.
McGinn may not have scored the goals he would have wanted in Villa colours this season, but a big reason behind that is the Scotsman being used in a much deeper role.
The boyhood Celtic fan is the player who allows a Grealish to play further up because he does the magic and hard work much deeper on the field, but for Scotland, he is used in a more attacking role, hence his goalscoring record.
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