Hibs' Paul McGinn speaks on John meeting Prince William, comparisons with his brother and life in Edinburgh

Any player arriving at a new club faces the same challenge, to win over the fans. But when the surname is McGinn and the club is Hibs, that particular test takes on a totally different complexion.

But for Paul McGinn – brother of “Super John” – it rests easy on his shoulders, a clear pride in his young sibling’s achievements shining through as he follows in his footsteps, moving from St Mirren to Easter Road.

John, of course, is now at Aston Villa, where he enjoys the same adulation among their supporters he enjoyed in Edinburgh, a member of that historic Scottish Cup-winning side.

And, it appears, he has moved not only to the English Midlands but into a whole new world, adopting the role of television interviewer to quiz Prince William, a Villa fan, on the subject of mental health.

Unsurprisingly, it was a meeting which didn’t faze the 25-year-old Scottish internationalist in the slightest.

“It was surreal,” admitted Paul. “We were laughing at how upright John was sitting, he’d obviously been told about his posture. John said Prince William felt like a normal guy to him.

“There were a few players there and the Watford boys who were there and knew Stephen (the third of the footballing McGinn brothers) were telling him John was just standing talking to Prince William as if they were the best of mates. John’s now living in a different world.”

John’s success at Hibs has, admitted Paul, been both a help and a hindrance following his move from Paisley last month, a surprise but one which he appears to have made apparently seamlessly as he’s slotted straight into Jack Ross’ side.

“Everyone looks at John and thinks his brother isn’t going to be as good,” he conceded. “That’s just the way it is, but I suppose it helps because they (the fans) are fond of him and really want me to do well.”

McGinn’s arrival alongside Marc McNulty, Stephane Omeonga and Greg Docherty may have been somewhat underwhelming, but it was a signing Ross was confident in making having worked with the player both at Dumbarton and the Buddies.

The defender said: “It definitely helps that he knows me. He knows what I’m like, all about me. It’s pleasing he showed faith to bring me here as I’m sure not many people would have thought it was some big signing. But I hope the fans now realise I contribute.

“I’m pleased with how I have done, how I have played. It helps having a few familiar faces. It’s not as if I’ve moved country, just along the M8. But I’m pleased to be in the team, contributing and I think the boys will agree I have done so.”

While Saints continue to find themselves embroiled in a battle to escape the clutches of the relegation danger zone, McGinn now has his sights set far higher, Hibs’ 2-1 win at Kilmarnock tightening their grip on a top-six finish and raising the real prospect of even challenging for a place in the Europa League.

He said: “It was a big win, everyone had looked at the table beforehand and saw Killie could catch us if they won. But the three points gives us a bit of breathing space and we can look up the table.”

McGinn admitted he and his team-mates had to dig deep to win, adding: “Killie don’t stop. It was the same against Rangers, they got their goals late. They keep battering you, knocking on the door and if you switch off they will punish you.

“We had a few scares but we held out. I’d rather have been a bit more comfortable but we defended well and Ofir Marciano did well but didn’t really have any major saves to make.”