John McGinn reveals Scotland boss' bum advice he ignored and listened to his dad - 'stop daein' that f****** thing'
McGinn admits his backside is a major strength but Aston Villa skipper admits he's nowhere near one former star
John McGinn has revealed that he ignored Alex McLeish's warnings to stop using his backside in games and listened to his dad waxing lyricall about Kenny Dalglish instead.
The Scotland and Aston Villa star using his bum to roll opponents in and break away or win free-kicks has become a familiar sight with McGinn, who has been using it since his days as a St Mirren youngster, main man at Hibs and on his journey to becoming Villa skipper in the Champions League.
However, he insists Eden Hazard remains the modern day king of the "bum game," and it was actually against the Belgian that McLeish warned him to cut it out against high calibre opponents, as it simply wouldn't work.
But dad Stephen Sr watched Dalglish become one of the greatest to ever do it, and assured McGinn that he wouldn't go wrong following the Liverpool and Scotland legend's lead.
Asked if he had the best "bum game" in the Premier League, McGinn told Sky Sports: "I don't know maybe. Maybe because it's the biggest!
"There's a few that are really strong - Joelinton, Wellbeck - there are certain players that use their body well. Might not just be their backside, it might just be the fact that they're huge.
"It's something I've always had. It's a unique body shape and a unique style. I'm sure it's not for every club or manager, but our manager knows how to use it to our strengths.
"In certain games when I play on the wing, it might not be to be an out-and-out winger. It might be to eliminate their fullback in a different way.
"I hear and see the jokes but I was nowhere near as good as Eden hazard at using it. I'll take the comparison, but never!
"Alex McLeish, it used to do his head in. All the Scotland boys will laugh at this, but when I was a lot more inexperienced, he used to shout 'stop daein' that f***** thing!'
"There were a couple of times I got caught against Belgium. Hazard was playing and I got caught on the edge of the box and he said ' you'll get away with that in Scottish football, you won't get away with that in international football.'
"Then you start doubting yourself and thikn can I actually do that?
"But then my dad reminded me that Kenny Dalglish used it in every single game. he said 'son, Kenny Daglish used it. Keep doing it and you'll be alright.'
"So thankfully I ignored big Alex McLeish and listened to my dad!"
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