John McGinn sees hometown Scotland mural for first time ahead of World Cup

Scotland hero John McGinn has spoken out after seeing his hometown mural for the first time as the owner of the house it's painted on says she "didn't even think twice" before getting it done. The 25ft street art capturing the Aston Villa captain's iconic celebration is perched on the side of a property near to where he grew up in Clydebank. The former St Mirren and Hibernian star previously revealed he first pulled out the famous gesture for his nephew, Jack, who wears goggles while playing football because of his poor eyesight. The eye-catching painting is part of Irn-Bru's new campaign labelled 'The Ultimate Home Fixture' - where diehard followers can now nominate their own walls for a free football makeover mural.

To kick things off, Lesley Reynolds, 59, and Paul Patterson, 63, offered their house in honour of their hometown hero, which now boldly displays “Made in Clydebank from Girders” alongside McGinn’s trademark number 7. McGinn was born and raised in Clydebank to his parents Stephen and Mary, where he attended St Columba's High School and St Peter the Apostle High School. His brothers, Stephen and Paul, also play professional football while his grandfather, Jack McGinn, was once Celtic's chairman and Scottish Football Association president. Lesley said: “John McGinn is a hero to many - but no more so than here in Clydebank.

This is where it all started for him. He’s gone from playing football in the local park to helping lead Scotland to the biggest stage there is. “When I heard that there was the opportunity to makeover our house as a mural for him, we didn’t even think twice. “Whatever happens on the pitch, it's certainly not going to be a tournament I’ll forget in a hurry - and judging by the reaction of my neighbours, neither will they. What a way to kick things off.” The artwork will take 10 days to make and is expected to be finished early next week. It has been created by five painters with over 60 brushes and more than 100 litres of paint used.

John McGinn has now spoken out after seeing his likeness blown up into a mural where he grew up. He said: “The mural is absolutely top class. It’s surreal to see myself on the side of someone’s house, especially in my hometown. "I have fond memories growing up on these streets, so it really does mean a lot It takes girders to paint something like this on your house.

Let’s see whose house the next mural goes on!” Superfans could see their home transformed into a mural, with residents across the country invited to nominate a suitable wall on their property via IRN-BRU’s Instagram page. Kenny Nicholson, Director of Brand at IRN-BRU, said: “We wanted to make it easy for the most devoted fans to become part of the Art-an Army with their own mural. Whether they’re in Lancaster or Lanark, Irvine or the Isle of Man, we’ve got a team of artists on standby to bring their home support to life in a legendary way. “The players have shown such girders in getting us here - and fans watching every kick of the ball have had nerves of steel too, so offering murals on us is our way of honouring that.” John McGinn is no stranger to seeing himself splashed across a wall , with the Witton Arms pub beside Villa Park in Birmingham also boasting a mural of him doing his trademark celebration. A chant adored by the Tartan Army sits alongside it, declaring: "We've got McGinn...Super John McGinn".

Other Scotland heroes have also recently seen murals spring up in tribute to their incredible achievements. Captain Andy Robertson paid a visit to his own mural last week on Tancred Road, just a short stroll from Anfield. Painted by MurWalls, it features a powerful portrait of Robertson touching the Liver bird on his chest alongside the message 'Born in Glasgow, made in Liverpool'. References to the nine trophies he has lifted as a Red are also included, as well as the chant supporters have serenaded him with over the years.

That comes after Scott McTominay's World Cup-sending overhead kick against Denmark was immortalised in a mural just a stone’s throw from Hampden Park. Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE