Heartbroken John McGinn pays emotional tribute to Tam McCourt and Matija Sarkic

Scotland star John McGinn broke off from preparing for the crucial Euro 2024 clash against Switzerland to pay a tender tribute to two figures who have played a part in his career.

The emotional midfielder spoke of his shock and sadness following the tragic sudden death of his former Aston Villa team-mate Matija Sarkic who passed away, aged just 26, and also much-loved Hibs kitman Tam McCourt, who started out as a groundsman at Easter Road.

McGinn paid tribute to both from Scotland's Euro 2024 training camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Sarkic was at Villa Park when McGinn arrived in the summer of 2018 but was playing for Millwall. He fell ill while away on international duty with Montenegro, where he had produced a man of the match display against Belgium just a week earlier. McGinn, speaking to BBC Scotland, said: “I was hoping it was going to be a false rumour, 26 years of age. Probably coming into his prime, football-wise, playing for Montenegro, Millwall, he was a top keeper. He was a big part of the team and the club and just really really sad to see that.

And just 24 hours after Sarkic's passing, McGinn was told the upsetting news of local legend McCourt. He said: "The next day, obviously wee Tam from Hibs, the first person I saw when I walked through the door at Hibs. He was an absolutely amazing guy. Unless you wanted. Pair of fresh socks or a fresh towel. He always gave me the crusty ones because I would wind him up.

"I can’t get Joyce (wife) and Thomas (son) out my head and just on behalf of all us Hibees, especially me and Porto (Ryan Porteous), over the last few days, we’re thinking of the you and the family”.