Former Hibernian midfielder John McGinn has clearly done his homework when it comes to the right things to say after joining Aston Villa.
Having made the switch last week for an undisclosed fee, but reported to be a snip at £3million, the 23-year-old took to the Villa Park pitch at the weekend and played a key role in helping us to victory over Wigan Athletic.
It was a quality debut from the Scot and if his first 90 minutes are anything to go off, claims that we were getting an absolute gem of a player may have done him a disservice as he slotted in perfectly and began running the show.
The Sunday Post claimed an exclusive interview with him having headed down to the club for his medical and to agree personal terms, and it’s fair to say I already like the cut of his jib.
“This an exciting challenge and it has always been an ambition of mine to play in English football. Looking on from afar, I always had an idea Aston Villa were a big club. But now realise I misjudged it – they are a massive club.”
He had me there to be honest.
McGinn went on to describe Bodymoor Heath as being ‘out of this world’ given what he’d experienced in the game so far and he credited Villa Park with having that ‘old-fashioned feel’ and described it as being a ‘proper, traditional stadium’.
“I want to do my bit to see it bouncing every week as we all pull together to help the club win promotion this season. The Villa fans have a brilliant reputation, and it’s going to be my privilege to play in front of them for the next few years. I feel tremendous pride to be here.”
One part of the interview that I particularly liked saw him speak of his delight at following in the footsteps of Stiliyan Petrov who was one of his favourite players at Celtic during his time north of the border and saying that he wanted to ‘live up’ to the high standards he set, on and off the pitch, is only going to ingratiate him with the faithful even more in my humble.
I know you should never read into ‘signing’ interviews as there’s always a script from the media department and keywords and phrases that everyone leans on to make the right impression, but when a lad nails it that well, even cynical little ol me gets excited.
The fact he then goes on to talk about the Scottish links at the club, but goes as far back as 1982 to talk about Allan Evans, Ken McNaught and Des Bremner – well done that man.
“So I feel proud to be here and to be a part of such a special club. The onus is now on everyone here at the current time to create our own history, and try to get us back into the Premier League. We can all see just how tough a challenge faces us all. But I’m up for it. I love this kind of stuff. I’m ready for it.”
Can somebody be on their way to being a legend in waiting after only one game?
