In the days after Unai Emery's appointment as Aston Villa head coach, John McGinn was north of the border catching up with some old friends. Some classic west of Scotland pessimism set in. "He's going to think 'Who's this wee Scottish guy?'" he told his mates in a panic, fearing the worst about his role in how the Spaniard would reshape Villa.
If he was to replay that scene in his head almost four years on, he would surely find it difficult not to chuckle at his own expense. McGinn lifted Villa's first major silverware in 30 years last month and the 31-year-old has just enjoyed his highest-scoring season at club level. It is the latest in a line of success stories McGinn has been integral to.
“John McGinn, who feared Emery would sideline him, now leads Scotland at their first World Cup in 28 years.”
At St Mirren he was part of their first cup triumph in 26 years while he played the full 90 minutes when Hibernian ended their 114-year wait for another Scottish Cup. He will feature in his nation's first men's World Cup match in 28 years on Sunday (02:00 BST) after playing a key role in back-to-back European Championship qualifications.
Born and raised in a working-class area on the outskirts of Glasgow, McGinn takes pride in the fact his rise has taken a different path from many Premier League players. The chances of a youngster in the UK achieving their dream of making it in the professional game are lower than 1%, yet McGinn and his two older brothers have all managed it. Paul, a former postman, played at Queen's Park alongside Scotland internationals Andy Robertson and Lawrence Shankland and is now captain of a thriving Motherwell side. His other older brother, Stephen, who also played for St Mirren, seems destined for a successful coaching career given the impressive work he has done as part of Falkirk's backroom team. His late grandfather, Jack, was Scottish FA president and Celtic chairman. His mum, Mary, taught her youngest son at school and even coached his school team.
Defying the odds and hitting new heights has been the tale of a relentless ascent – although it is one that was a millimetre away from cruelly ending before it had really started. Whatever jersey he has on, success seems to follow the all-action midfielder – and it doesn't feel like pure coincidence. On Sunday, the boy from Clydebank with a "big, round head" and bigger dreams will dance on football's grandest stage.