Liverpool urged to sign World Cup star as Keane comments branded 'very harsh'

McGinn scored the only goal of the game as Scotland, captained by departing Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson, beat Haiti 1-0 at the weekend to earn the country's first World Cup win in 36 years.

It continued a superb run of form for the Aston Villa skipper, whose brilliant goal sealed his side's 4-2 win over the Reds, and subsequent qualification for the Champions League, at Villa Park on May 15.

Five days later and McGinn played a key role as Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final in Istanbul, which secured the club's first piece of major silverware in 30 years.

Despite that, the 31-year-old was controversially branded as a "pub player" when things aren't going his way by former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane ahead of the World Cup.

Keane said on The Overlap: "He's done brilliant. But when he has his bad days, he looks like a pub player.

"When he's off, he looks shocking. If you watch him long enough, and when he's in the team week in, week out, you go, well if all these managers like him... but when he's bad, wow."

Keane did balance those comments by adding: "You'd have him in your group, absolutely, and it's no surprise Villa are doing well and he's at the forefront of that." However, he was roundly criticised by Scotland and Villa supporters.

And Liverpool legend Phil Thompson admits he would love to have a player with the calibre of the Villa captain at Anfield.

Speaking on the BOYLE Sports and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, the European Cup-winning skipper said: "John McGinn is a player everyone needs.

"Liverpool don’t have a McGinn in their midfield; someone who demands from others and can give away a needless free-kick as if to say ‘I’m here’.

"Liverpool don’t have a Jordan Henderson or a James Milner anymore. They need someone like John McGinn; he brings so much to that Scotland side. His attitude rubs off on his team-mates, and importantly he demands from others.

"On Roy Keane’s comments, Roy is one of the great players of our time. What was one of his strengths? Influencing games - and not necessarily through skill, but through his passion and commitment to the cause.

"For Roy to be saying those things about McGinn, I think is very harsh."

It would appear unlikely that the Reds would move for McGinn this summer or whether he'd even want to leave Villa.

However, the former Hibs man was once on Liverpool's radar after impressing then manager Jurgen Klopp.

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