A bitter McGinn & tonic
It has been some year for Paul McGinn.
A Scotland cap kicked it off last September when he got to play for the national team aga inst Aust r ia alongside brother John.
At the end of the season, his solid form at Hibs earned him a new contract.
But when Lee Johnson was appointed as Easter Road gaffer, the full- back was allowed to leave just 20 days after signing the deal.
He was snapped up by then Motherwel l boss Graham Alexander but after a disastrous European defeat at the hands of Sligo Rovers, the guy who brought him to Fir Park was sacked.
Now McGinn is trying to impress new gaffer Stevie Hammell and help the Steelmen climb the table.
After everything that has happened in the last 12 months, he’s taking nothing for granted.
But McGinn finally feels settled and happy again.
As he reflected on the past
year, he said: “It’s been mad, there’s been a lot of change.
“It’s weird to think I won my first cap last season but it all ended in a bit of a mess.
“But that’s football in a nutshel l. Hopefully this manager stays for my whole tenure at Motherwell. I feel relaxed and settled again.”
Against Hearts today, McGinn will have one of the toughest jobs in Scottish football right now – keeping Barrie McKay quiet.
The former Rangers winger has been in terrific form despite the Jambos’ dip in performances and results.
McGinn insists McKay is still one of the Premiership’s top talents.
He said: “I played against Barrie years ago and he’s definitely different now.
“He used to be a speed demon who would knock it past you and try to run you.
“Now he’s a really good passer of the ball and if you give him time and let him lift his head, he will cut teams open.
“He is one of the best in the league.”