A 25-foot mural honouring Scotland World Cup star John McGinn is being painted on the side of a superfan's home in his hometown of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. The artwork, dedicated to the Aston Villa midfielder, is expected to take 10 days to complete, with the finish date anticipated next week.
A team of five painters has worked on the project, using more than 60 brushes and 100 litres of paint. Organised by Barr's Irn-Bru, homeowners can nominate their exterior walls for a free football makeover ahead of the World Cup to demonstrate their dedication to Scotland's most beloved footballers.
McGinn is part of Scotland's squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America this June, having played 85 times for the national side and scoring 20 goals. He has previously played for St Mirren and Hibernian as well as Aston Villa.
Lesley Reynolds, 59, and Paul Patterson, 63, offered their home for the project. Ms Reynolds said: "John McGinn is a hero to many – but no more so than here in Clydebank. This is where it all started for him. He’s gone from playing football in the local park to helping lead Scotland to the biggest stage there is. When I heard that there was the opportunity to make over our house as a mural for him, we didn’t even think twice. Whatever happens on the pitch, it’s certainly not going to be a tournament I’ll forget in a hurry – and judging by the reaction of my neighbours, neither will they. What a way to kick things off."
McGinn said: "The mural is absolutely top class. It’s surreal to see myself on the side of someone’s house, especially in my hometown. I have fond memories growing up on these streets, so it really does mean a lot. It takes girders to paint something like this on your house. Let’s see whose house the next mural goes on."
Kenny Nicholson, director of brand at Irn-Bru, said: "We wanted to make it easy for the most devoted fans to become part of the Art-an Army with their own mural. Whether they’re in Lancaster or Lanark, Irvine or the Isle of Man, we’ve got a team of artists on stand-by to bring their home support to life in a legendary way. The players have shown such girders in getting us here – and fans watching every kick of the ball have had nerves of steel too, so offering murals on us is our way of honouring that."
