Aston Villa and Scotland captain John McGinn recently made a moving, unexpected visit to St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank, his hometown, ahead of the World Cup. This heartfelt gesture came as a tribute following the passing of his grandfather, Jack McGinn, who had been cared for at the same facility.
Originally planning only to send a video message to a patient named Keir Cleminson, McGinn chose instead to visit in person, accompanied by his mother, Mary, and carrying his Europa League winners’ medal. His decision to engage personally created a deeply meaningful experience for everyone involved.
A hospice spokesperson shared: “John was initially going to record a video message for Keir but surprised us all by dropping in to visit him directly. His presence brightened the ward instantly. He spent around 30 minutes with Keir, engaging in uplifting conversation and even took photos for Keir’s young children. McGinn also spent quality time with our staff, lifting the whole team’s spirits.”
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John McGinn grew up in Clydebank, attending local schools St Columba’s High School and St Peter the Apostle High School. His family has strong ties to football—his brothers Stephen and Paul are professional players, and his grandfather Jack McGinn was a respected figure in Scottish football, having served as chairman of Celtic and president of the Scottish Football Association before his passing last year.
The hospice holds the McGinn family close, especially following Jack’s time under their care. The spokesperson added, “Mary, John’s mum, has been a tremendous source of support and inspiration for us. She helped make this visit happen, and we cannot thank her enough. John’s visit felt very genuine and spontaneous, creating a special memory for both our patients and team. It’s clear why he’s affectionately known as ‘Super John McGinn.’”
St Margaret of Scotland Hospice continues to focus on creating cherished moments for its patients, including organizing for Keir to attend Celtic’s title-clinching match against Hearts. The club has been supportive, offering outings such as this to brighten patients' days.
Currently, the hospice is advancing plans to open a new specialist palliative care unit, aiming to reopen within the next month after a nine-month closure. Despite the temporary move of operations to another part of the hospice, staff remain dedicated and are appealing for donations to complete the project.
The spokesperson concluded, “John has been incredibly supportive throughout our fundraising efforts, even recording a special video to encourage donations. His involvement means a great deal to us.”
John McGinn’s visit is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of compassion and community support during difficult times.