Aston Villa’s midfielder John McGinn recently shared details of a frightening training ground injury that nearly ended his career while he was playing for St Mirren. The Scottish international, a pivotal player for Villa since his transfer from Hibernian in 2018, recalled a bizarre incident in 2015 that could have had tragic consequences.
McGinn, who began his professional journey in St Mirren’s youth academy and went on to make 98 appearances for the club, experienced a shocking accident during a possession drill in his final season. The mishap occurred during a routine drill involving him and teammate Steven Thompson. As McGinn dashed through the training gates, Thompson inadvertently threw a training pole, which pierced McGinn’s thigh to a depth of 7.7 centimeters, narrowly missing his femoral artery.
Describing the incident to Sky Sports, McGinn said, “We were taking the drill seriously despite our usual banter. As I ran through the gates, Thompson didn’t see me turn, and the pole he threw went straight into my thigh. It hit the bone and came back out. I was in shock, but I didn’t realize how close I was to a catastrophic injury until later.”
Fortunately, a doctor was present at St Mirren that day, who quickly assessed the situation. A surgeon later confirmed the severity of the injury, remarking on McGinn’s luck in avoiding a fatal outcome. The incident left McGinn with a small scar but could have ended his football career.
After the injury, McGinn faced uncertainty as his contract with St Mirren was about to expire. However, Hibernian stepped in, paying the necessary compensation to secure his transfer. McGinn went on to help Hibs win the Scottish Cup, before making a successful move to Aston Villa under manager Steve Bruce for £2.5 million.
McGinn’s journey from that harrowing day to becoming a key player for Aston Villa is a testament to his resilience and determination. His experience serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the fine line athletes walk between triumph and tragedy.
