John McGinn reveals how 2 Celtic Champions League extras captivated him as buzzing star prepares for Euro elite bow

John McGinn reckons he’s going to have a ball in the Champions League as he finally gets a crack at the competition that had him hooked as a Celtic fan.

The Aston Villa hero will make his bow in Europe’s top tier on Tuesday as Uni Emery’s men take to the greatest stage of all for the first time in 41 years when they face Young Boys Bern in Switzerland. Then he’ll square up with the Hoops in the Midlands after Christmas. McGinn will get a kick from facing superstars at iconic stadia – but even more so from the Champions League clobber.

The Scotland favourite told the Mirror: “Everyone talks about wanting to hear the anthem – and I’m no different – but I’m more excited to be playing with the bibs and the balls. I’ve watched the Celtic lads wear them for years. I’m not joking! We got them for the first time after the Everton game on Sunday morning. I can’t tell you how proud and happy that made me.”

McGinn reckons tonight will be even more special as he feared his number up at Villa when the new manager arrived. The midfielder will never forget the conversation with Emery that opened the door for him to the Champions League.

Why would he? It’s highly unlikely he would have made it, had that brief exchange never taken place. It was late November, almost two years ago, and Emery was preparing for his first match, at Villa Park, against Manchester United. He pulled McGinn in the team hotel the night before. Villa’s skipper takes up the story.

McGinn said: “At the time, I had just lost my place in the team. The manager told me that he was advised that he would have to change the captain and move me on. He said, ‘I’ve been told this about you but I’ll make my own judgement. ‘If my own judgement is that I don’t see you being