John McGinn: My Scotland call proves Hibs were right choice

The midfielder found himself in demand when it became clear he intended to leave St Mirren at the end of last season, a decision which alerted a host of top flight outfits as well as an invite to train with Owen Coyle’s Houston Dynamo in the United States.

But Easter Road head coach Alan Stubbs was relentless in his pursuit of the Scotland Under-21 captain who was assured a move to the Capital wouldn’t hinder his international prospects.

“I definitely thought about my chances of being selected for the Under-21s – it was mad to think I’d even be considered for the national team – but I spoke to Ricky Sbragia about it and he felt it was a good place to go and play.

“I knew from then that I was still going to be involved in that set-up and when I found ouit I was going to carry on as captain it was a big boost for me. It showed me people still believed in me, and probably around October I just nodded my head and knew that it was definitely the right place for me to go and get better as a player.”

But can he truthfully say he doesn’t regret turning his back on the sunshine of Texas for cold nights at places such as Stark’s Park?

McGinn replied: “Yes, because if I was there I might not be meeting up with the Scotland squad tomorrow.

“I think that just makes it all the more worthwhile and proves I made the right choice by signing for Hibs.”

n John McGinn was speaking at the Tesco Bank Football Challenge Festival at his old school, St Stephen’s Primary in Clydebank. More than 100,000 children have now taken part in the grassroots schools’ programme.