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Scouting Aston Villa transfer target: John McGinn

By Samantha Richards

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 21: John McGinn of Hibernian celebrates at the final whistle as Hibernian beat Rangers 3-2 during the William Hill Scottish Cup Final between Rangers FC and Hibernian FC at Hamden Park on May 21, 2016 in GGLASGOW, SCOTLAND. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 21: John McGinn of Hibernian celebrates at the final whistle as Hibernian beat Rangers 3-2 during the William Hill Scottish Cup Final between Rangers FC and Hibernian FC at Hamden Park on May 21, 2016 in GGLASGOW, SCOTLAND. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa personnel are scouring the globe for potential improvements to Steve Bruce’s squad. This time heads look north towards Scotland, where Hibernian central midfielder John McGinn excelled in the second division.

It’s not every day Aston Villa is linked to a player plying his trade in Scotland. It’s even rarer when said player plays in the Scottish Championship, the second division.

John McGinn excelled this year playing for league winners, Hibernian. Hibs smashed the Scottish Championship with an eleven point gap over second-place Falkirk. The club finished top in goal differential with a +34 in 36 league matches.

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McGinn, 22, made his senior Scotland debut in March, playing the full ninety minutes in a 1-0 victory over Denmark.

Standing at 5’10”, McGinn is a pure number eight from the center circle. He’s not overly athletic nor a shut-down destroyer, but he’s extremely comfortable on the ball and capable of producing in the final third.

In 29 league appearances, McGinn scored four goals with a further nine assists. This isn’t atypical, either. Despite being only turning 23 in the fall, McGinn has a long history of producing at the professional level.

He’s been a full-time starter since the age of 18. First, with three seasons at St. Mirren (Scottish Premiership) before a £500,000 move to Hibs in the summer of 2015.

John McGinn is an interesting name because it’s far different than the others typically linked with Villa. Here we have a talented, experienced international midfielder playing in a lesser league.

He played the full ninety minutes in Hibernian’s 2016 Scottish Cup Final victory over Rangers. Moreover, they made a run to the semi-finals again this year despite playing a level below their competition.

Next: Scouting Aston Villa Target, George Boyd

McGinn certainly is not cover for Mile Jedinak, but he may be worth throwing ~£1.5 million at. His resume is nothing short of outstanding. Continued call-ups to the Scotland National Team will reveal how he’s perceived in the country.

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