John McGinn: Irony in Aston Villa's Brendan Rodgers link
John McGinn is ready to get to work whoever becomes Villa’s new boss – but appreciates the irony of Brendan Rodgers being linked with the job.
The midfielder turned down the chance to join Rodgers at Celtic during the summer in favour of a £2.75million move to Villa from Hibernian.
Hoops boss Rodgers is now on Villa’s shortlist to replace Steve Bruce and McGinn, who is currently away on international duty with Scotland, remarked: “It’s ironic, isn’t it? You never know what’s going to happen. But I think Brendan came out the other day and said he’s happy at Celtic, he’s got a job to do.
“It would be unfair of me to comment on that too much and fuel the rumours. What will be, will be. If it is Brendan, or if is someone else, I’ll soon see. Hopefully, whoever comes in, I’ll be able to impress them.”
Thierry Henry, John Terry and Jose Mourinho’s former assistant Rui Faria are also in contention to take over at Villa, who sit 15th in the Championship.
McGinn, who announced himself to English football with a stunning goal against Sheffield Wednesday last month, believes whoever comes in will be instantly under pressure to get results.
“When you go down there and see the place, it’s an eye-opener,” he said. It’s a club which deserves to be in the top half of the top flight, a massive club and it means it is very demanding.
“Whoever comes in, it won’t matter how big a name they are. If they’re not getting results, there will be pressure.
“You feel it as a player. It’s something you should thrive on, playing at a big club.
“Obviously it is exciting the club is attracting big names but it comes with the territory. You’ve got to prepare and you’ve got to produce.”
He continued: “The international break has come at a good time. It’s never easy when a manager is sacked and obviously, Steve Bruce was the manager who signed me.
“I have a lot to thank him for and he was fantastic for me.
“But it is football. It happens. It’s just never nice to see him and his staff lose their jobs. As a player you just have to focus on working hard, trying to impress the new manager when he comes in.
“There have been a few interesting names linked with the job. At every club, there is always this merry-go-round. Everyone thinks somebody else has got it.
“You just have to wait and trust the club is doing the right thing.”