Aston Villa fans will love what Glenn Whelan responded as John McGinn celebrates six years since signing for the club.
Glenn Whelan and John McGinn both played key roles as Aston Villa secured promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-off final in 2019.
Whelan was approaching the end of his career at the time, whilst McGinn was enjoying his first season south of the border having signed from Aberdeen.
Six years after arriving at Villa Park, McGinn remains an integral figure and captained the side to a Champions League spot in Tyrone Mings’ absence through injury last season.
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Villa fans will hope that is the case for many seasons to come, with the Scotland international adored by the Villans’ faithful.
Glenn Whelan hilariously respond as John McGinn celebrates six years at Aston Villa
The promotion-winning campaign would prove to be Whelan’s last at Villa Park, as the Irishman left for Hearts in summer 2019.
Villa marked the anniversary of McGinn’s arrival on ‘X’, posting a then and now picture of the 29-year-old with the caption: “On this day in 2018, John McGinn signed for Aston Villa!”
What followed was a hilarious exchange, with McGinn quoting the post and writing “six years since I rocked up to Bodymoor in my G-Star jeans and Stan Smiths” before Whelan joked that McGinn’s arrival ended his own Villa career.
Whelan provided a tongue-in-cheek response to McGinn’s, saying: “And I took you under my wing and looked after you and you repaid me by robbing my spot and getting me released. Well done John.”
McGinn will be keen to avoid Whelan’s Aston Villa fate
McGinn has seen competition for his place increase this summer as Unai Emery has signed midfielders Ross Barkley, Enzo Barrenechea and Amadou Onana.
The Scotland international is a key player for Villa but the additions mean that no one’s place is safe as Emery guides the club into the Champions League.
Whelan was 35 when McGinn ousted him from the Villa side – so much older than McGinn is now – but the Scotland international will still be desperate to avoid a similar outcome.
If ever he needed motivation to fight for his place, Whelan’s post should serve as a reminder to McGinn that things can change very quickly in football.
