IT’S YOUR MOVE JOHN

“John is really happy at Hibs. Usually with Scottish players outside the Old Firm they have to leave for England or Celtic or Rangers to establish themselves as Scotland players.

“But John and Hibs have been so good together. He’s an established Scotland player and playing at the top level in Scotland.

“I thought Scott Brown and John were the two best midfielders in the country last season. He really enjoyed the Scotland tour of Peru and Mexico and he’s ready to go next season with Hibs.”

McGinn is now gearing up to go head to head with his brother in the top flight and says there will be no holding back when they clash in the middle of the park.

The 29-year-old said: “The two games we played against each other in the Championship were good. Apart from being my brother he’s one of the top midfielders in the country and you like going up against those players.

“The two times we’ve played each other there’s been no holding back on either side and it will be the same next season.”

But mum Mary can’t bring herself to watch her sons and dad, also Stephen, will be cheering on the Hibees when the siblings clash.

Stephen said: “My mum just won’t go. My dad would support Hibs. He’s been a closet Hibee for the last couple of years and I give him a bit of stick about it.

“But my mum doesn’t like the thought of seeing us play against each other. She knows what John and I are like.

“One of us could end up on the end of a bad one so she doesn’t like watching us play each other.”

McGinn’s heard his brother rave about Stubbs who led Hibs to Scottish Cup glory in 2016 with John at the heart of the success.

And Stephen said: “Since my association with St Mirren, about 15 years ago, I can’t remember an appointment of this kind of calibre.

“To have attracted Stubbs shows the good work that’s been going on here over the last 18 months. There’s a good feeling about the place. It’s such changed days.”

McGinn will line up alongside third brother Paul after he returned to St Mirren from relegated Partick Thistle and he’s delighted to see him back in Paisley.

He said: “When I went to Dundee, Paul and Greg Stewart were the best attacking part of the side to get us to the top six.

“He’s had a bit of a stop-start spell at Partick but he will strengthen St Mirren.”

McGinn admitted there is a real buzz, fuelled by the arrival of Steven Gerrard as Rangers boss, about the Premiership again with excitement building ahead of the fixtures for the new season being released on Friday.

He said: “The buzz around Scottish football is higher than the last time we were in the Premiership. We want to add to it – and play good football.”

STEPHEN McGINN