Hibs hero in classy message to Roy Keane as he serves 'pub player' response directly
Aston Villa captain thinks the original comment was taken out of context
Former Hibs midfielder and current Aston Villa captain John McGinn has responded to Manchester United icon Roy Keane directly after his ‘pub player’ comment about him during the World Cup.
The Irish pundit was very complimentary about McGinn and his achievements with current club Aston Villa, as well as the Scotland National Team. However, he did add that on the rare occasion he’s not at his best, that he looks like a ‘pub player.’ It was this comment that angered sections of the Scotland, Aston Villa and Hibs support.
In his usual understated fashion, McGinn responded originally by saying he was just happy that Keane and fellow pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright were talking about him. However, when the Hibs Scottish Cup winner was invited onto the Stick To Football podcast as a special guest this week, he was able to respond to Keane in the flesh.
McGinn responds to ‘pub player’ dig
Speaking alongside the usual trio, as well as ex-pros Jamie Carragher and Jill Scott, when asked about Keane’s comments, McGinn eloquently answered: “The thing is I like the pub from time to time! I genuinely didn't mind it. It wasn't that bad. People just get in a tizzy over things. To be honest, he's right when I have a stinker. I always think that footballers today like to react to it with celebrations, fingers in the ear. But that just sets you up for the next fall, because the next fall is always coming. Just deal with it.”
It’s no surprise that the dig was water off a duck’s back to the Villa captain - who lifted the Europa League trophy for his club and scored at a World Cup for Scotland during the summer. Keane also insisted that what he said was blown out of proportion and that it was intended as a compliment. The ex Republic of Ireland captain also made light of his own performances when not at the races. He said: “It was a compliment I gave you John! When I had a bad game, I looked f*****n dreadful. That was my point!”
What were Keane’s original comments on McGinn?
Ahead of the World Cup, Keane said on the Overlap podcast: "When he has his bad days, he looks like a pub player. When he's off, he looks shocking - but you'd have him in your group, absolutely, and it's no surprise Villa are doing well and he's at the forefront of that."
While on international duty in America, McGinn said at the time he took no offence to Keane’s jibe. He told ITV: "He's getting slagged for that but I didn't think what he said was that bad. He actually followed it up with something complimentary. No, he was right. I actually think the amount of games that I'm looking like a pub player is getting less and less as I get older. I try and not have as many games like that and be more consistent. But I don't think it was too bad.”