What an evening it must have been for John McGinn as he faced Celtic in Aston Villa colours on Europe’s biggest stage.
When McGinn got injured against Leicester City at the start of the month, it was looking like he would miss the much-talked-about Celtic showdown.
It has been well-documented that McGinn is a boyhood Celt, so when his Aston Villa side were pitted against the Scottish champions when the draw was made in August, it made headlines.
The all-action midfielder, who returned to action over the weekend against West Ham United, started on the bench and was brought on in the first half when right-back Matty Cash went down injured.
Villa’s number seven was in the thick of the action straight away because the home side would concede when Greg Taylor’s cross was poked into the path of Idah by McGinn himself.
What John McGinn posted on social media after facing Celtic with Aston Villa
Yes, McGinn has faced Celtic before in the colours of St Mirren and Hibernian, but this would have been different because of the stage he is on.
But, despite a poor start from the Scotland star, he grew into the match and, in the end, was celebrating his side’s progression into the round of 16.
McGinn noted that when he reacted to Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic on Twitter.
‘Champions League last 16,’ wrote McGinn with an eyes heart emoji. ‘An incredible effort from all involved. UTV’.
Celtic fans react to McGinn’s ‘assist’ for Adam Idah’s goal
Villa right-back Cash got injured and was forced off in the first. It resulted in youngster Lamare Bogarde, who was playing in the middle of the park, switching to full-back.
That saw McGinn coming onto the field of play after he just returned from injury at the weekend against West Ham United.
The scoreline read 2-0 to Villa, but then Taylor’s cross from the right was ‘assisted’ by McGinn in the penalty area and into the path of the quick-thinking Idah.
It’s fair to say that McGinn’s part in that goal was quickly spotted by the Celtic faithful and many of them reacted to it.
‘Cracking assist for Celtics First agent McGinn,’ wrote Celticfc110
AJ_CELTIC wrote: ‘Agent McGinn on the assist’.
Even Celtic’s very own Twitter account noted McGinn’s role in Idah’s opening goal.
‘A GT cross takes a deflection off John McGinn and spins up for Adam Idah to smash the ball into the net from six yards out.’
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