Aston Villa coach and former Nottingham Forest loanee John Terry has hailed the impact of John McGinn, and believes the midfielder can hit the challenge of the Premier League head on.
The Scotland international netted the killer second goal in Monday’s Championship play-off final against Derby County at Wembley, albeit somewhat fortuitously, and has enjoyed a stunning first season since moving from Hibernian last summer.
McGinn was one of Mark Warburton’s top transfer targets during his spell as Forest boss, but the Reds were unable to do a deal with the Easter Road club.
Villa did get the deal done almost a year ago, for half of the £5m the Reds were told they’d have to pay the summer before.
McGinn’s impact at Villa Park has been impressive, scoring seven times in 50 all-action appearances, and Terry feels the 24-year-old can carry his form into the Premier League next term.
“Jack (Grealish) gets all the headlines but it’s the work John does,” said Terry.
“He is superb. You see him day in, day out and he trains how he plays.
“He’s a great professional and he is a great lad.
“John and Jack get on really well both on and off the pitch. You can see it when they’re out on the pitch playing.
“For sure John can take his recent top form into the English Premier League.
“He is well capable of doing that.”
