Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is the latest figure to praise Scotland man John McGinn following an excellent start to the season.
The Scotland international has earned many plaudits this season after shining for Villa after their promotion from the Championship.
Flying in the EPL. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Smith believes that McGinn is a shining example that good things can come from the SPFL.
He told the Daily Record (The Winner, page seven, 19/10/19): “John made the step up like Andrew Robertson at Liverpool and Ryan Fraser at Bournemouth.
“There are a lot of players who have played in Scotland who are in the Premier League now.
Smith has talked up the Scottish game. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
“The step can be made and John will be the first to tell you that the standard in Scotland isn’t all that bad.”
Scotland star McGinn is on a hot streak of form
In his most recent Scotland appearance, McGinn managed to bag himself a hat-trick. Sure, it was against the world’s worst side in San Marino, but the Villains man was still there to provide the goods in a 6-0 win.
At Villa Park he hasn’t been doing too badly either. After starring in the Championship last year following his move from Hibs, he has scored three times in nine Premiership matches.
Scored a hat-trick against San Marino. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
It’s great to see the Scotsman continually do well down south. The St Mirren academy graduate is helping to buck the trend that the Premiership is of a poor standard and that players like McGinn aren’t good enough to make the step up to Premier League level.
Smith seems to believe McGinn thinks highly of the Scottish game. Whatever his opinion is, the Scottish game certainly appreciates the midfielder as the Scotland international continues to prove his star qualities south of the border.