Together with Scott Allan and Dylan McGeouch, Lennon’s Hibs midfield became one of the most formidable in the country after their promotion back to the top flight.
McGinn was the shining star, though.
“Some of the games there would be boys on his shoulders trying to get the ball off him and he would never lose it,” his former team-mate Allan tells BBC Scotland.
“I was expecting him to be all action and a wee bit loose with the ball, but I was most surprised about how good he was technically.
“That’s not mentioned enough, but that’s because you always see his fight and drive.”
In post-match father-son debriefs, Allan’s dad had no problem letting his boy know he had underperformed.
With McGinn, however, it was different, mainly because it rarely happened.
“My dad would always say to me: ‘John can’t have a bad game, he’s always involved’,” Allan recalls.
“And the way he uses his bum to protect the ball… I show my own son that when he’s playing football. It’s such a bizarre thing to say, but it’s such a crucial tool.”
That ability to repel opposition players has become a trademark move.
His physique had been questioned and he has conceded he is “no stick man” and “will never be ripped to shreds”.
He just wanted to be noticed for using his body “in a unique way” – and Villa did, paying £2.75m for his services as Celtic failed to stump up the cash.
That now looks a colossal misstep from the Scottish champions, given the bargain McGinn has proved to be south of the border.
