John McGinn

“When you come down from Scotland, you always have a point to prove. You always feel like: ‘Can I compete?’ There will be a time at some point where I’ll have to hold my hands up: ‘All right, this player’s actually better than me,’ or maybe the level does exceed me, but at this moment, I don’t think that’s anywhere close, and I’m determined to prove that.”

Raised in a household where football was less a hobby and more a lifelong profession, John McGinn was raised in the shipbuilding town of Clydebank, west of Glasgow. Football ran deep in his family heritage: his older brothers Stephen and Paul both turned professional, while his grandfather Jack chaired Celtic (1986–1991) and later headed the Scottish FA. Consequently, Celtic’s green-and-white colors framed his earliest childhood years.

However, his actual footballing journey launched in Paisley. St Mirren recruited him into their academy during his primary school years. When Celtic and Rangers showed interest around age eleven or twelve, his parents met with Tommy Burns but ultimately opted against a move, wishing to protect their youngest son after his two older brothers had already been released by Celtic. Remaining at Paisley provided him the necessary time and space to develop.

I think I was 11 or 12, but my two brothers had already been released from Celtic so I don't think my parents wanted that same experience and hurt. They took the decision out my hands and probably the right decision. I wouldn't have got the time to grow at Celtic, there's too many players that want to sign there. St Mirren gave me the time to develop.