The Scotland international was on the end of a withering putdown from the Manchester United legend.
Villa skipper John McGinn has laughed off criticism from Roy Keane - and claimed the pundit was right to say he looks like a “pub player” on his bad days.
The former Manchester United captain delivered the withering putdown when speaking in otherwise positive terms about McGinn, ahead of Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti last weekend.
McGinn promptly scored the only goal as the Scots won their first World Cup match since 1990, while Keane faced criticism of his own from people rushing to the defence of the Villa ace.
Yet McGinn, who has just experienced the best season of his career after helping Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League, did not take Keane’s words to heart and even admitted the ex-Republic of Ireland ace might have had a point.
“He's getting slagged for that but I didn't think what he said was that bad," McGinn told ITV Sport. “He actually followed it up with something complimentary.
“No, he was right. I actually think the amount of games that I'm looking like a pub player is getting less and less as I get older.
“I try not to have as many games like that and be more consistent. But I don't think it was too bad. People were saying, did you see what he said, but I just thought it was quite nice that they were talking about me!"
Scotland continue their campaign on Friday night when they face Morocco in Boston.
A point for Steve Clarke’s side would almost guarantee them a place in the knockout rounds before their final group stage fixture against Brazil.
But McGinn, who described his performance against Haiti as “pretty average”, knows they will have to improve.
The 31-year-old also agreed with Keane’s belief the Scots having nothing to fear from their remaining group fixtures.
McGinn said: “He (Keane) is right. All the pressure's going to be on Morocco, all the pressure's going to be on Brazil.
“I feel as if I was pretty average on Saturday so hopefully I’m saving some more for Morocco but I feel in a really good place mentally and physically,” he said.
“I’ve had a really good season so hopefully this weekend it can be something more special.”
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