John McGinn #7

Profile

It remains extraordinary in a way that McGinn has forged a top level career at all. In 2015, a spot of high jinks at St Mirren’s training ground saw team-mate Steven Thompson throw a spiked pole at McGinn. The pole cut McGinn deeply and tore a muscle. “There was a lot of blood,” McGinn said. “I just remember looking down and being glad the pole came back out.” Whether through fear over the impact of that incident or otherwise, there were a shortage of takers when McGinn decided to leave Paisley. Hibernian took a chance and the rest is history. McGinn excelled in Edinburgh and has become a fan favourite at Aston Villa. The Tartan Army hold the midfielder nicknamed “Meatball” in similarly lofty esteem.

Key stats