From Birmingham to Boston, the chorus rang out the same. As Aston Villa marked their Europa League triumph during their victory parade, manager Unai Emery joined in a rendition of “Super John McGinn”. While Emery’s singing talent might be debatable, his team’s harmony on the field certainly isn’t. A few weeks later, in front of Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall, the Tartan Army’s version of the chant sounded even more spirited.

Later that evening, John McGinn gave them another reason to sing. Not since Stuart McCall and Mo Johnston in 1990 had a Scottish player scored in a World Cup victory – at least for Scotland, considering Tom Boyd’s unfortunate own goal against Brazil in 1998. The Scottish supporters were said to have reached record noise levels inside Gillette Stadium on Saturday. As Scotland prepare to meet Morocco on Friday, McGinn looks the most likely player to set Massachusetts roaring once again.

This summer appears destined to belong to John McGinn. Scotland now have a genuine chance to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, and McGinn already has three remarkable achievements to his name. He captained Aston Villa to a top-four finish in the Premier League, sealing Champions League qualification with a stunning goal against Liverpool. He was also pivotal in Villa’s Europa League success, scoring twice in the semi-final against Nottingham Forest and again in the final win over Freiburg. Lifting the club’s first European trophy in 44 years, McGinn joined Dennis Mortimer as only the second Villa captain ever to hoist continental silverware.

Now his focus turns to Scotland. Victories on the world stage have been rare for the national side, so their win against Haiti deserved full celebration. Even a draw with Morocco could represent another significant milestone – the triumph of a determined, down-to-earth group of players.

McGinn and Andy Robertson, Scotland’s vice-captain and captain respectively, have become the fundamental duo underpinning Steve Clarke’s tenure. Robertson, once released by Celtic as a teenager, and McGinn, who does not fit the typical footballer’s image, have both defied expectations. McGinn, in particular, has become known for his famously robust physique – an endearing symbol of his everyman appeal.

Like Robertson, McGinn exudes humility and charm. During a light-hearted club video filmed on World Food Day, he answered “chips” when asked about his favourite food, drawing laughter from teammates. At Euro 2024, he delighted fans by joining locals in Bavarian folk dancing near Scotland’s training base, showcasing his approachable personality.

On the pitch, however, McGinn initially struggled to reproduce his club form in international tournaments. There were concerns that the World Cup stage might never see the best of him in a Scotland shirt. But Saturday’s match changed that perception. His goal – though deflected – proved decisive. “I scuffed it a wee bit,” McGinn admitted with typical honesty.

Goals, however they come, all count. At club level, McGinn produced a career-best 10 goals this season, thriving in a new hybrid role for Aston Villa – nominally a right winger but effectively operating as one of Unai Emery’s No.10s. Playing on the left for Scotland against Haiti, he still managed to score once and nearly added another.

McGinn’s importance is easily measured in numbers. His strike on Saturday was his 21st goal in his 100th appearance for Scotland. In the last seventy years, only Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law have scored more for the national team. That statistic also highlights Scotland’s long-standing lack of a prolific striker – a void McGinn helped to fill before Scott McTominay emerged as another goal threat.

McGinn’s reputation as a national hero was already well established before his World Cup goal ended a 28-year drought. Andy Robertson once revealed that his son preferred a Scotland shirt with McGinn’s name on it instead of his own father’s. The two players have spurred each other on – McGinn noted before the Europa League final that watching friends like Robertson and Jack Grealish lift major trophies motivated him to do the same. Now, both have surpassed what once seemed possible.

When McGinn joined Aston Villa for £2.5 million as a Championship player, few anticipated the scale of his impact. It has since proven to be one of the Premier League’s best bargains in recent memory – a story of mutual growth between player and club.

Turning 32 later this year, McGinn continues to defy stereotypes. Despite his love of chips and stocky build, he is exceptionally fit – even training in the Arizona desert’s 45°C heat to maintain peak condition. This may well be his only World Cup, given Scotland’s long absence from the tournament, but he has already left his mark. In fact, though unofficial, he might be the only player nicknamed “Meatball” ever to score a World Cup-winning goal.

With his humorous personality, distinctive appearance, and eye for crucial goals, “Super John McGinn” has become Scotland’s very own superman on the world stage.