Alan Hutton believes John McGinn has ‘come on leaps and bounds’ since the Scotland star joined Aston Villa in 2018. The midfielder earned the praise after he scored against Cyprus.
Scotland met Cyprus in their opening qualifying fixture for Euro 2024 at Hampden Park this Saturday. McGinn broke the deadlock on 21 minutes by turning home Andrew Robertson’s deflected cross. It marked his 16th goal for the Tartan Army on his 53rd appearance so far.
McGinn and Scotland had to wait for a VAR check to determine Robertson was not offside in the build-up. Valentin Roberge’s foot played the left-back onside as he received the ball before finding McGinn at the far post. It was their fourth goal combination over 39 games.
John McGinn fired Scotland ahead against Cyprus in a Euro 2024 qualifier
Aston Villa are yet to see McGinn’s goal threat this season with the Glasgow native yet to score after 25 appearances. He has laid on two assists across 23 Premier League games, though. Each of his two assists have also come since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard.
The 28-year-old has offered 25 assists plus 16 goals in 172 games since joining Aston Villa from Hibernian in 2018. Steve Bruce bought the Scotland star for just £2m whilst the club was in the Championship. His seven goals and 10 assists would help Villa win the play-offs.
Alan Hutton saw first-hand what the midfielder can offer whilst at Aston Villa
Hutton played 29 games with McGinn at Aston Villa during the 2018/19 term after Bruce’s swoop. The former Villans and Tartan Army defender now feels the midfielder has reached a far higher level than what he saw during their time together in Birmingham that season.
“It’s a great finish back post,” Hutton told BBC 5 Live. “I was at Aston Villa when he came down from Hibs and he’s come on leaps and bounds since then. He’s taken everything in his stride. I love watching him play for Scotland. He’s got that extra bit of energy.”
McGinn’s status at Aston Villa arguably reached its peak in 2022 when Gerrard named the Scotland star as their captain. The St Mirren product has also skippered the Tartan Army in recent years. Steve Clarke awarded him the armband in five of their 10 games during 2022.
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