JOHN MCGINN has become known for his heartwarming signature goal celebration.
The Scotland and Aston Villa star, who was born in Clydebank, has been a regular at Villa Park since signing for Unai Emery‘s side in 2018.
What does John McGinn’s celebration mean?
John McGinn‘s trademark celebration sees him turning his hands and circling his eyes with his fingers.
The gesture makes it looks like the Premier League footballer is making goggles or a mask with his hands.
McGinn has previously revealed that his celebration is dedicated to his nephew.
He is not the only football player who is famed for their special moves on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham has become known for his own gesture, which sees him standing with his arms wide open.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has performed his now infamous “Siu” celebration many times over the years.
When does John McGinn perform his celebration?
McGinn performs his celebration after scoring.
In March 2021, he scored a stunning bicycle kick for Scotland, but didn’t celebrate with his move because the match was played behind closed doors due to Covid.
As of August 2024, McGinn has made 177 Prem appearance for Aston Villa since signing for them in 2020.
He’s scored 16 times for the club.
The midfielder started his professional career at St Mirren in 2012, moving to Hibernian in 2015.
In 2023, McGinn became joint sixth on Scotland’s all-time goalscoring list with a penalty against Norway.
The goal made him level with Kenny Miller and three goals behind Ally McCoist.
Joint record goalscorers Denis Law and Sir Kenny Dalglish, meanwhile, have 30 goals for Scotland to their name.
As of August 2024, McGinn has scored 18 international goals.
What has John McGinn said about his celebration?
McGinn’s unique goal celebration is dedicated to his young nephew, the player has confirmed.
When asked about the meaning, McGinn said: “My nephew Jack is nearly five but he needs goggles to play for his football team as his eyesight is really poor, so I did the goggles for him.”
In a different interview with Aston Villa he further explained: “My nephew, he’s got poor eyesight and he has to wear the goggles to play football.
“So I decided it would maybe give him a bit of support to put the goggles on when I score.
“So now he’s happy, his teammates at football up in Scotland carry on the celebration and I’m sure that hopefully inspires a lot of children.”
McGinn continued: “A lot of people I played with when I was younger had to wear the goggles and when you’re younger it’s difficult.
“You feel socially kind of out of it but it’s just a wee thing, a nod to Jack and now it’s just kind of stuck.
“So hopefully if I’m scoring I’m getting the goggles out.”
The Scottish star has a twin sister called Katie and two older brothers, Stephen and Paul, who are also professional footballers.
John and Paul played together in September 2022 in Scotland’s match against Austria.
The game marked only the the third time siblings have played together for the national team since the end of World War II.