McGinn lands fourth International Award

JOHN MCGINN has been crowned William Hill SFWA Men's International Player of the Year for a fourth successive season.

The Aston Villa midfielder saw off the likes of Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and Scott McTominay to retain the prize in a vote of SFWA members.

McGinn has scored four goals in his last seven outings for Steve Clarke’s side as he has further established himself as one of the integral parts of the national team and as a hero to the Tartan Army.

A strike in the impressive away win in Armenia last June was followed by the opener in what proved to be a comfortable Nations League success against Ukraine.

McGinn’s second half effort was one of the positives to take from the disappointing defeat to Turkey in November and it was the 28-year-old that set Scotland on their way to victory at home to Cyprus just days before the historic triumph over Spain.

McGinn said: “I would like to thank the Scottish Football Writers’ Association and William Hill for the award.

“It has obviously been a brilliant time to be part of the Scottish national team and we feel as if we are building something really special.

“We have got a big summer coming up and hopefully ourselves and the gaffer can bring some more success and get ourselves to Germany next year.”

That win over Spain saw McGinn collect his 54th cap for Scotland and the former St Mirren and Hibernian star will be an integral part of Clarke’s plans once again in the coming months.

McGinn is set to round off another impressive Premier League campaign with fixtures against Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion before he reports for Scotland duty next month.

Clarke’s side head to Norway for a Euro 2024 qualifier before Georgia are the visitors to Hampden and McGinn will look to rise to the occasion for the nation once again.

Daryl West, Head of Sponsorship, of William Hill said: “On behalf of everyone at William Hill we’d like to congratulate John McGinn on winning the SFWA Men’s International Player of the Year award.

“It’s a well deserved accolade after another immense season for John. To win this award four times in a row is an incredible feat and testament to the hard work, commitment and leadership John demonstrates every time he puts on the Scotland jersey.

“It’s an honour for us to support this award and its worthy winner.”