Former Hibs’ star ‘Super’ John McGinn is the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month winner for September.
His tremendous left foot volley in front of the Holt End against Sheffield Wednesday received 54 per cent of the public vote.
The Scotland international has become a firm favourite with the Villa fans since his summer move from Easter Road.
McGinn said:”I was surprised more than anything really, as I have never scored a goal like that before.
“When I noticed the ball had hit the bar I thought it was going to stay out, but thankfully it happened to catch the roof of the net and I was over the moon.
“As soon as you hit it you just know it is going in; it is probably the best I’ve ever struck a ball. Obviously with it being at The Holt End as well makes it extra special. It was a tough game that afternoon, so at that point of the game we needed something and thankfully I happened to score that goal.
“The reaction has been pretty crazy, it went viral, but there have been a lot of great goals in the Championship this month, so it wasn’t as straight forward as me winning the award, so I am obviously delighted.
“I have watched it black plenty of times and still can’t actually believe it was me. It is not my style, I am normally tackling or chasing someone. The ball hasn’t fallen to me like that again, but the next time it happens it might go in Row Z like my shot at the weekend.
“It is nice, it is the first time I have ever won an award for one of my goals and when Adam Reach is on a one-man mission to beat it every weekend it makes it more difficult. I’m delighted to get the award, as mine might not be as frequent as what Adam’s are.”
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman said: “Reach’s goal against Leeds United may well have won Goal of the Season in previous years, but such was the quality of McGinn’s goal, it hasn’t even won Goal of the Month!
“The defender has done his job, he’s cleared the ball with height and distance and must think, ‘job done’ but little did he know that he was to contribute to one of the greatest goals ever seen in the Championship
“McGinn strikes a dropping ball whilst side on, by cutting across it with such venom and swerve through perfect technique that it’s still rising as it crashes in off the crossbar. It’s the type of strike you can try and replicate a million times and never get it that good again.”
McGinn beat off competition from Preston’s Alan Browne and Sheffield Wednesday’s Adam Reach
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
