Steve Clarke praises John McGinn for going to ‘another level’

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John McGinn will be playing Premier League football next season. He scored in the Championship play-off final as Aston Villa booked their place in the top-flight.

Of course, it could have been so different. McGinn was a major transfer target for Celtic last summer.

As reported by The Scottish Sun, the Bhoys had three bids rejected for the player last summer, but for varying reasons no deal could be done. Celtic, therefore missed out. In the end, Aston Villa signed McGinn from Hibernian for a fee in the region of £2.75 million.

Now the Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been expressing his delight at McGinn’s success in England. Speaking to the Scottish Sun he explained how he feels the midfielder has gone to ‘another level’ south of the border.

“It just shows you never know where you’ll go unless you push yourself.

“There was John making the decision — I don’t know whether he made the decision, or the decision was made for him not to stay in Scotland and go to Celtic — and sign for Aston Villa.

“But I know from people I know at Villa that they are really pleased with him. And the supporters really love him.

“It tells you he has done the right thing. He’s gone down there and pushed his game to another level.”

Celtic will undoubtedly be disappointed they failed to complete a deal for the talented midfielder. McGinn, with 10 assists in the Championship this season, has been integral to Aston Villa’s promotion run.

The Bhoys, who finished the season managed by McGinn’s former Hibs boss Neil Lennon, will no doubt wish that they had secured a deal for the player a year ago.

But perhaps McGinn did eventually make the move that was best for him and that has been proven by his success at Villa Park.