John McGinn reflects on facing Celtic in Champions League

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The Celtic Star

·21 March 2025

John McGinn reflects on facing Celtic in Champions League

Scotland international John McGinn has reflected on his experience playing for Aston Villa against Celtic, commending Brendan Rodgers’ side despite their 4-2 defeat on Matchday Eight of the Champions League at Villa Park…

The Aston Villa coach arrives before the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025.. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

John McGinn is a lifelong Celtic supporter

The lifelong Celtic fan was brought on as a substitute for the injured Matty Cash, who was forced off in the first half of January’s much-anticipated ‘Battle of Britain’ clash between the two teams.

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Despite having only recently recovered from a long-term injury, the Scotland veteran was still frustrated at not starting the match. Speaking on January’s Champions League encounter against the Hoops, McGinn said, as reported by BBC: “I was gutted not to start the game after working so hard to get back fit.

John McGinn of Aston Villa is substituted on during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“I was even more devastated at half-time”

“I was even more devastated at half-time when the aggregate score of me coming on was 2-0 Celtic. So, the story was written, the narrative was there, I could feel it. I got my first assist for Celtic, one of those ones…

“But it was a strange night, obviously even seeing some of the backroom staff who split some time between here and Celtic, it was strange. But thankfully for us, it was a massive night, a really important victory in the end.”

John McGinn openly admitted that loyalties were divided during the match, due to his personal preferences and those of his family members who were present.

John McGinn of Aston Villa is substituted on during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

The former St Mirren and Hibernian midfielder commented on where his camp’s loyalties lay during the European encounter. McGinn said: “There was certainly a story written at half-time which was challenging.

“Some of them were probably celebrating it at the time to be honest”

“Some of them [my family]were probably celebrating it at the time to be honest, which made the night trickier! At half-time, the manager was really good because he knew it was just one of those things. Celtic had scored two good goals, but we’d started the game on fire.

“I actually spoke to Tony Ralston about it this morning. One minute I’m sitting a couple of yards away from him and I said, ‘I’m not getting on here’. Three minutes later, no real warm-up, I’m on the pitch and it’s 2-2.

Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic battles for possession with John McGinnduring the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“That was another great night under a lot of pressure”

“That was another great night under a lot of pressure, and hopefully, I can use those experiences to deliver a performance for Scotland.”

The 30-year-old has faced numerous strong teams this season, both in domestic competitions and Europe – with Celtic being one of them, in his view.

Reo Hatate of Celtic is tackled by John McGinn of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

When questioned if Celtic had proved they were a decent side against Unai Emery’s quarter-finalists, McGinn responded: “Yeah, 100 per cent. I think a lot of teams… if you lose two goals early at Villa Park, we’ve got a brilliant record there this season. I think we’ve only lost once in the league and not at all in Europe this season.

“My teammates and the staff were very impressed”

“They had a choice to crumble, sit in, make it less painful or keep playing the way they did, and they did it in fairness. I thought they were excellent on the night and obviously, a few of my teammates and the staff were very impressed.

“But the manager showed them the utmost respect before the game. We watched a lot of their European games in detail, and he was impressed, but thankfully we just managed to edge it.”

John McGinn of Aston Villa tackles Callum McGregor of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Villa will play PSG in Champions League quarter-finals

Aston Villa secured a 4-2 victory that night, courtesy of a hat-trick from Morgan Rogers and a second half strike via Ollie Watkins. Adam Idah netted twice for Celtic, with both teams advancing, Celtic to the play-offs and Villa to the last 16 of Europe’s elite club competition. That is where it ended for Celtic following a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich, but McGinn and Villa will face PSG over two legs in next month’s last eight tie after disposing of Club Brugge.

Conor Spence

Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style. Available at celticstarbooks.com