As Aston Villa fans will know, Scotland crashed out of the 2020 European Championships earlier in the week following defeat to Croatia, but from our more selfish point of view, it does of course mean that John Meatball McGinn now has an extra few weeks to rest and recover ahead of the coming 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
We fell short in the end but having the opportunity to represent Scotland at a major tournament in front of my family is something that I will never forget. The overwhelming support from the whole country has been an inspiration and I’m hoping this is just the beginning for us 🏴 pic.twitter.com/LRTQomyqID
— John McGinn (@jmcginn7) June 24, 2021
26-year-old McGinn got more back to his best as our 2020/21 campaign progressed, and the Scot chipped in with three goals and five assists (37 PL games) to help us to our eleventh placed finish. He more than deserved his place in former gaffer Steve Clarke’s squad, and he impressed plenty as they faced off against Czech Republic, England and Croatia. Despite their best efforts, it just didn’t click up front and with too many good chances spurned, out they go.
Whilst McGinn is understandably disappointed they didn’t achieve more, he was very upbeat about their future as he spoke to the Official Site earlier today.
“We’ve got to use this to drive us on to more tournaments. They’re an excellent team, we knew that. We were ignoring all the noise that they were an ageing team and slow. They weren’t, and they have one of the best players in the world in Luka Modric. The World Cup is our aim now. You look around the dressing room and we’ve got a good age group, determined guys and we feel as if we didn’t do ourselves justice.”
With his performances at the Euros seeing speculation return about his own future amid regurgitated reports of a potential £50million interest from Liverpool, his growing international experience (and the additional confidence he’ll take from that) is only going to benefit us as he continues to develop and improve as a player, and I’m pretty happy to dismiss talk of him leaving this summer as I just don’t see why we’d be interested in a sale at this point.
He should return to pre-season training in good spirits given the praise that has gone his way.
McGinn...
£50m Is Tempting

McGinn's Going Nowhere

SJM! 🏴❤️
— Jake Ferguson (@jakeferg314) June 24, 2021
Well played John #UTV
— Chef Jon (@DodgyDa04167702) June 24, 2021
You gave it you're all. Nothing to be ashamed of. Now go and enjoy your summer ready for 21/22. UTV!
— Scott Edwards (@desktopwriter) June 24, 2021
Weve got McGinn super john mcginn 🏴
— JRceltic 🍀 (@Jrobbz1) June 24, 2021
Just the start! Let’s build on this
— Neil (@Swing_Kinker) June 24, 2021
Your time will come 👍
— June Mynard 🌻 (@kelwell16) June 24, 2021
Always Played like a Warrior Love you John💙🏴
— Fan of Valentina🏴🇩🇰🍀 (@Fanofvalentina3) June 24, 2021
Enough chances if not half chances in each game John … frustrating but great to be back at a major tournament. Good luck at Villa
— Matt Phillips (@MattPhi26258123) June 24, 2021
John it’s brilliant you represent our club & your country doing both proud UTV
— Dene Trouth (@DeneTrouth) June 24, 2021
You were great as always John. Sorry it didn’t work out for Scotland but here’s to an amazing season ahead with the Villa!
— Gaz P (@gazzyboy83) June 24, 2021
As a villan im proud of you John, you played some amazing football on a personal level, now back to villa park to continue our project! (Don’t leave) 🥰
— laura (@laura25547405) June 24, 2021
23 years ago I watched that Gazza goal with a bunch of my Villa season ticket holder mates. Me, the only Scot and the saltire painted on my face. It’s been a long time coming but I’ve loved every minute and I’m really proud of you and the team. Here’s to the next 🏴 adventure.
— Mark Menzies (@MarkMenzies) June 24, 2021
Put your feet up for a few weeks now m8 and have a few 🍻🍻
You deserve a good rest. Come back to villa fit and well for hopefully an exciting season ahead. 👏— Old school villian (@tonywoots69) June 24, 2021
All the villa fan base had your back too John. Wanted Scotland to get through. Get back to Villa and let’s get into Europe!
— Account of Montecristo (@Villan1985) June 24, 2021
Previous Article: