Gabby Agbonlahor has launched a furious defence of John McGinn after Roy Keane branded the Scotland star a “pub player”.
The Manchester United legend sparked backlash from both the Tartan Army and Aston Villa supporters after questioning McGinn’s consistency, describing him as “enigmatic”.
Keane said: “McGinn is one of these fellas, when he has his bad days, he does look like a pub player. When he’s off it, he’s shocking. I’ve watched him long enough. When he’s bad, wow. But you’d have him in your group. Absolutely.”
But former Villa striker Agbonlahor hit back, insisting Keane’s comments showed a lack of insight into Unai Emery’s side. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve got a bone to pick with Roy Keane because he’s on a podcast recently and he said when he’s not at it that John McGinn’s a pub player.
“That just sums up Roy Keane to be honest. It says to me, tell me you don’t watch Aston Villa every week without telling me. John McGinn, every game, is at it. He’s never a pub player. John McGinn is the most reliable player. Game after game, seven or eight out of 10.
"So Roy Keane, be quiet mate.”
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McGinn has become a key figure at Villa Park since his £2.75million move from Hibs in 2018, captaining the side to Europa League glory last month and cementing his status as a fan favourite.
Agbonlahor, who worked under Keane during his brief spell as Villa assistant manager in 2014, also took aim at the Irishman’s coaching record and man-management style. He said: “Not a great coach. Look at his coaching career, he’s not done well. He wasn’t a great coach. Anger issues. Different generation of players.
“I remember after a game at QPR he got a can of Red Bull and threw it across the shower. He was like, ‘Red Bull, I see you all drinking it, it doesn’t work. Do the science!’
"He went on this tantrum. My face was like, I’m going to burst out laughing here. But apparently in one of his books, he was like ‘I have a Red Bull before every game’.
"Make your mind up, Roy… which one is it, mate?”
