‘If he was at all ashamed he would hang his head’: John McGinn is being hailed as ‘unmitigated disgrace’ by Leeds fans after the Aston Villa star’s ‘stupid tackle’ resulted in the 16- year-old Archie Gray was kidnapped in tears on a stretcher
- John McGinn has been criticized for a tough challenge on Leeds’ Archie Gray, 16
- The challenge came in Aston Villa’s 1-0 pre-season win over Leeds in Australia
- Gray was in tears and had to be carried off the field for treatment
- Leeds fans took to Twitter to vent their anger at the Scotland international
AstonVilla Star John McGinn has been slammed after a powerful challenge left the 16-year-old leeds Midfielder Archie Gray im Queensland Champions Cup Pre-Season Tournament.
And although Villa won the game 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Danny Ings, the game was marred by an injury to 16-year-old Gray after McGinn’s challenge left him in tears.
And Leeds fans have gotten used to it Twitter venting their anger on the Scotland midfielder, who many say should be ashamed of such a challenge in a pre-season friendly.
The game turned sour after Leeds youngster Archie Gray, 16, was forced on a stretcher
John McGinn has been criticized on social media for the harsh attack on the teenager
Danny Ings scored from the penalty spot as Aston Villa beat Leeds in a lively pre-season tie
Philippe Coutinho missed his own free-kick after Tyler Adams handball earlier in the game
McGinn received a warning for a tough challenge to the teenager, going over the top of the ball and planting his cleats in Gray’s ankle after missing the ball.
A Leeds fan said: “That tackle by McGinn against 16-year-old Archie Gray in a pre-season friendly was an absolute disgrace.
“Purified, willful and poor by a high-ranking professional. If he was at all ashamed, he would hang his head in it.’
Another Twitter user, Ian Scagnelli, added: “What a silly duel from the bodily John McGinn against a promising 16-year-old boy, Archie Gray, who started his promising football career in a supposedly ‘friendly’ game! What goes around comes around John.’
Another user said: “I suggest John McGinn think about this attack he made on Archie Gray. One that he only shrugged off at the time.
“Possibly seriously injuring someone in a friendly. You can’t even say it was an accident.’
A fourth added: “McGinn you w*****. A 16-year-old overhead in a friendly! How tough are you big man??? Should be banned you t*****.’
However, Aston Villa fans were quick to jump to their player’s defence, with some pointing out that the tackle was commonplace in the modern game.
One said: “Happens 3/4 times a game every week, foul yes, gross no. Get up and stop yelling.”
Another added: “Honestly I don’t see much in this challenge, it’s not exactly reckless, just unlucky.”
A third said: “I don’t really see anything wrong here.”
Next on Aston Villa’s pre-season tour is Brisbane Roar on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday’s encounter with Manchester United.
Leeds take on Crystal Palace next on Friday before they fly home on Sunday.
