ON the whole planet, it is perhaps only Kim Kardashian who is in possession of a more famous posterior than John McGinn, with the Scotland midfielder’s rear-end all-but a national treasure for the advantages it bestows upon the Aston Villa man as a footballer.
McGinn himself jokes that without it, he would be plodding around the lower leagues somewhere, so it may be with some concern that members of the Tartan Army will learn that Villa manager Steven Gerrard has their man on a strict dietary regime.
The 27-year-old is happy though to set worried minds at rest, assuring the Scotland supporters that it is all part of a plan to make him an even better player, as he constantly looks to make improvements to his game.
“I said to the gaffer that if I didn’t have this backside I’d be playing in the Lowland League,” McGinn said. “He had a laugh at that.
“But we’ve got an understanding that as long as I give it my best shot and keep the size of my backside, we’ll be fine.
“We had an open, honest chat and he wanted me to give myself the best opportunity to get the best out of what I have.
“I’ve been a lot more professional over the last 12 months and tried to become the best athlete I can be.
“I get a bit hungry at times! But hopefully in the long run it can benefit me as a player.”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for former Rangers manager Gerrard since he left Ibrox to go to Villa Park, but McGinn is relishing the experience of working under such an illustrious player.
“It’s been up and down so far,” he said. “With the money we’ve spent and the squad we’ve got, at the moment we’re definitely under-achieving.
“But since the manager came in he’s been first class with me. As a midfielder I’m learning all the time. Having him and Gary Mac to learn from - two of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders - that’s priceless for me.
“I feel I’m getting better all the time. Some people might not think I am but I certainly feel like I’m improving.
“I’m getting games under my belt in the Premier League and hopefully next season we can finish as high as the manager believes we can.
“I’m as ambitious as him, I’m hungry to succeed. This season isn’t a write off because we want to finish in the top half for the first time in something like 10 or 15 years.
“But after that, we need to try and give the supporters and owners what they deserve, which is competing for European places.”
