Steve Bruce has shared his verdict on what made John McGinn an instant favourite at Aston Villa.
Aston Villa will play in the Champions League next season after securing a fourth-place finish in the 2023/24 Premier League.
Captain John McGinn was one of the players who stood out in Unai Emery’s side, having been part of the Villa squad from the second tier to the top four.
Now, former Villa boss Steve Bruce has opened up about the moment he realised the Scotsman would become a fan favourite at Villa Park.
Steve Bruce praises John McGinn as an Aston Villa hero
Bruce admitted that McGinn’s arrival at Aston Villa was his ‘best ever signing’ after capturing the midfielder from Hibernian in 2018.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former manager shared an insight into the early moments of McGinn at Villa.
“From the first minute he arrived on the pitch at Aston Villa, he made himself a hero straightaway.
“He smashed into a tackle, ran 15 yards, 20 yards, hit a rasping shot, he has been a crowd favourite every since.”
Not much has changed with McGinn since his arrival six years ago, as the Villa captain is still as energised in midfield, and still as adored in the Midlands.
McGinn has been so important to Villa over the years
Arriving at Villa when the club were in the Championship, McGinn has been a constant at Villa Park, impressing year after year showing his versatility and consistency.
The 29-year-old was named club captain in the summer of 2022, earning his stripes and leading by example in the squad.
Teammates come and go and managers come and go, but McGinn’s desire to achieve and improve at Villa has stayed the same, seeing the Scotland international lead his side to the Champions League.
Emery is one of the many admirers of the versatile midfielder, lauding his leadership and attitude during the campaign amid an injury crisis.
The Spaniard called working with McGinn ‘easy’, dubbing him an ‘important’ part of his team.
“For me, it’s easy to manage a player, John McGinn. He’s always available. He’s always very competitive.
“Sometimes he’s not playing, but in the dressing room, he’s very important. How he’s being with his teammates. Being positive, demanding, and looking to work. That’s the spirit I want.”
It would be difficult to find someone associated with Aston Villa who didn’t consider McGinn a hero, with Bruce’s evaluation of the player’s first moments in claret and blue ringing true.
