PLAYER OF THE FAMILY
He’s won Scotland caps, the Scottish Cup and the League Cup but John has picked up yet another award from his brothers that’ll mean just as much ...
JOHN McGINN has arrived in Slovenia with his – and our – World Cup 2018 dream very much alive.
A last-gasp win over Slovakia means victory for Gordon Strachan’s men in Ljubljana tomorrow will see Scotland clinch a play-off place in the bid to reach Russia next summer.
And while McGinn watched the action from the bench on Thursday it capped one of the best weeks of his career to date, coming after a sensational show for Hibs at Celtic on Saturday when his two-goal display finally forced his brothers to admit he’s the best footballer in the family!
No mean feat, considering John, 22, is the youngest of three siblings behind Stephen, 28, and Paul, 26, who both blazed a football trail long before him.
The two older McGinns have enjoyed good careers but it’s their kid brother who is shooting for the stars – and there’s not a hint of jealousy from his siblings, only pride.
St Mirren midfielder Stephen believes John is destined to reach the highest levels of the game. He is also convinced if Strachan gives his wee brother the nod against Slovenia he’ll step up to the plate – because he’s made a habit of turning in stellar displays on the big stage when it mattered most.
Stephen said: “After scoring twice at Celtic Park you have to say John is the best player in the family. All three brothers are incredibly supportive of each other but we’re like every set of brothers in that we never really praise one another to their faces.
“I think John can play at the top level in England, I genuinely do. I’ve played down south with and against players at that level and from watching John closely throughout his career he has every attribute to go on and reach the very top of his profession.
“He’s up there with the best midfielders in the country.
“I’ve never doubted John, especially when it comes to the big games in his career.
“He was a standout for St Mirren in the League Cup semi-final against Celtic when they went on to win the trophy in 2013.
“He scored Hibs’ winner against St Johnstone in the League Cup semi at Tynecastle. He was also great for Hibs in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final win against Rangers.
“If John is lucky enough to be handed the Scotland shirt against Slovenia I would not fear for him. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got the nod and went out and delivered again.
“Naturally I’d love to see him start in this match. The midfield is probably the strongest area in the Scotland team right now.
“But John is playing really well and dominating matches.
“He’s at the top of his game at club level and has a hard taskmaster to impress in Neil Lennon – and he’s doing that brilliantly at the minute.
“John is primed for the position and if he’s called upon by the Scotland manager he will be ready.”
Stephen knew something big had happened at Parkhead at the weekend. His uncle Gerry bounded over seats at breakneck speed in the Paisley 2021 Stadium to deliver the good news as he left the field after St Mirren had beat Brechin to stay top of the Championship. Stephen also reckons the two
John has every attribute to go on and reach the top of his profession STEPHEN McGINN
stunning strikes against the Hoops have dismissed the notion once and for all that John’s lack of goals is a flaw in his game. Stephen said: “The one weakness that has always been levelled at John is his lack of goals. “He has a cracking left foot so scoring two goals at Celtic Park in such a high-profile game has raised his own bar and hopefully put that criticism to bed. “I was actually looking forward to the tussle between John and Scott Brown. “And when I heard Broonie was missing from the Celtic team I felt Hibs could do something. “That’s why I wasn’t surprised to hear the result when it came through. “My uncle Gerry ran down the Paisley stands long before the end, which is not like him, and I knew it was good news emanating from Celtic Park. He was screaming and shouting, telling me what John had done.
“Performance wise I wasn’t shocked that John played the way he did against Celtic.”
Stephen was also delighted to see John celebrate the goals wildly because it was the fulfilment of a childhood dream.
He said: “I also didn’t think for a minute that John wouldn’t have celebrated scoring against Celtic.
“We dreamed all our lives about doing something like that and now we have both achieved it. You have to enjoy those moments and he certainly did.
“He has been such a massive player for Hibs.
“John has really embraced playing for that club and Hibs have taken him on to another level.
“I’m naturally biased because he’s my brother but I couldn’t be happier or more proud of John.” Middle brother Paul, who plays for Partick Thistle, joked there is no debate as to which brother is the best player in the house now. Paul reckons John’s sheer doggedness and determination have helped turned him into a midfield powerhouse. He said: “I guess I’ve got to agree with Stephen and say that John is the best player in the McGinn house. “He has gold dust in that left foot of his – it’s very gifted. “For one so young John has had his fair share of success, winning both the League Cup and Scottish Cup with St Mirren and Hibs. “John’s exploits at Celtic Park on Saturday cheered me up a bit after Partick Thistle’s defeat at Motherwell.
“It was the Jags kitman who told me all about it. I was buzzing for him when I heard.
“What a lot of people don’t realise about John is he has tremendous tenacity.
“It is that strength of purpose and single-mindedness that has made John the player he is today.
“He’s a terrier. He’s fantastic at winning the ball back and then creating something out of nothing.
“That’s one of the main reasons why John is playing at such a high level.
“It would be great to see him play for Scotland tomorrow.
“I hope John can help Scotland get the result we need to clinch a play-off spot.
“I get really nervous watching John as you always hope he doesn’t make any mistakes.
“I know how talented John really is.
“At the moment he is making the McGinn family very proud of his achievements. Long may that continue.”