Who’d you rather have: Jason Holt or John McGinn?

November 4, 2015

 

john mcginn v jason holt

Joel Sked (@sked21)

Sunday’s clash between John McGinn and Jason Holt really should have been taking place in the Premiership. Two of the hottest prospects in recent years have had to move back to go forward. Holt was not given sufficient assurances of first team football at Tynecastle so moved west, while coming east John McGinn opted against staying with St Mirren or moving to a Premiership team to sign for Hibernian.

I was enthusiastic at the thought of Holt progressing into the fulcrum of the Heart of Midlothian midfield. From early flashes this was a player with a velvet touch and the awareness of a buffalo drinking water at the lake knowing there is a lion in the vicinity. Yet, there is the argument that Holt was in the wrong place at the wrong time when breaking through at Tynecastle. While youngsters were getting plenty of game time the side was often underdogs under the astute management of Gary Locke, especially in the relegation season. Holt was required to graft rather than guide the team, ie the continued presence of the Duo of Depression – Scott Robinson and Jamie Hamill. There were a similar number of starts in season 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 but there was not an abundance of progression. Instead of his influence increasing it simply stagnated.

Then the ethos of the whole club changed. Robbie Neilson stepped up to the management position with a more positive, possession-orientated idea. It was perfect for a player like Holt, even with the number of new faces at the club. Looking ahead it was thought the connection between player and manager would see Holt help Hearts back into the Premiership. He played his part with an emphatic finish against Rangers but was eventually loaned out to Sheffield United after only five league starts in the first half of the season. The stagnation continued. When he played he rarely dazzled. Someone who was primed to probe and find gaps in the opposition defence was simple averse to taking risks, keeping the ball safe but offering little substance.

A highly technical player (check his goal out against Ross County in April 2013) he has begun to find his feet again at Rangers and showcase the player that was so highly thought of at Tynecastle. There has been goals (4) and assists. He seems to have finally found a system and position that suits him. A number 8 rather than a number 10. Having seen him a few times since his move he still has a tendency to go really quiet and drift through games. But there is increasingly greater consistency and influence. With smarter players around him he has been able to find team mates and be found in gaps and spaces. I am looking forward to seeing him in the Premiership again.

As you may expect I have opted for Jason Holt in this ‘battle’. I may as well get my answer out there before talking up John McGinn. It was a decision that was reached after a bit of toing and froing. McGinn is a player that I really enjoy watching. He has the ability to drive forward from deep using both his power and skill. He breaks the lines of midfield and defence really well when carrying the ball forward. In comparison to Holt I feel his passing has always been with a more incisive edge, more direct.

At both St Mirren and Hibernian he has displayed his ability to get into shooting positions in and around the box and he does possess the power shooting as displayed against Raith Rovers. However, his shooting is at best erratic. He is a player that is capable of getting 7+ goals from midfield which is a good return for central midfield players.

The issues I have with McGinn is that I still feel he has never progressed from raw talent. Under Alan Stubbs I fully expect him to do so but he strikes me as being the same player as the one which broke through at St Mirren and surprised many with his physical attributes. Maybe Hibs (and St Mirren) fans can answer me this, what is his best position in midfield? Holt has found his, I may be wrong but has McGinn?

Vote: Jason Holt

Tony Anderson (@tonyterrace)

This is a very crucial season for both McGinn and Holt on a personal level as well as their respective clubs. Despite both being young players they have amassed over 90 professional games each and they will both no doubt hit their century by Christmas, injury permitting. They are both no longer inexperienced players and they will be judged like any player on their form and impact on games.

Jason Holt is a very aesthetically pleasing player. He has super technique in his passing and shooting. His ability to score goals is certainly something Holt has over John McGinn and his recent goal v St Mirren is a great example of the technique I mentioned. Not many players, certainly in the Scottish Championship, would have been able to score that goal. Holt has netted 17 to McGinn’s 6. Holt’s goal scoring has steadily improved and of those 17 strikes, nine have come in his last 25 appearances spanning over his spell at Sheffield Utd and his current home at Ibrox. Holt is clearly enjoying his football at Ibrox, playing centre midfield for a very expansive team suits his talent down to the ground.

When he played for Hearts the criticism levelled at him was always that despite his clear talent, he didn’t have much of an impact on games. He often seemed lost, not really sure what type of player he was. That was mirrored by how Neilson seemed not to know where was best to play him. Towards the end he seemed to use him as a deep lying playmaker, taking advantage of his passing ability, although his lack of physique and tackling ability was a problem in that role. While Holt has impressed for Rangers, it will be interesting to see how he copes if and when Rangers return to the Premiership.

He seems to be a player who divides opinion amongst fans and especially managers. Obviously Neilson wasn’t overly impressed with him and let him go and despite scoring five goals in 15 games at Sheffield United, they decided not to offer him a deal. He seems to have added a bit of consistency since signing for Rangers but they utterly dominate the majority of games which suits him. He finally seems to have stopped hiding in games and is imposing himself on the opposition. He will be a very interesting player to watch how he continues to develop, a good full season at Rangers should help him.

McGinn on the other hand has made the first move of his career, leaving St Mirren to join fellow Championship team Hibernian. For such a young man he seems to have had such huge ups and downs. He was part of the St Mirren team that won the League Cup in 2013, leading to him having a great season personally in the 13/14 season. Then last season he struggled for form at the worst time as he was arguably the talisman for St Mirren after McLean’s departure and Thompson’s legs going. That season, as we know, ended with St Mirren being relegated, McGinn having to watch the final few weeks from the side lines after ‘spear gate’. Many were surprised that McGinn ended up at Hibs, myself included, but Alan Stubbs must have impressed him during negotiations and the club showed a huge amount of faith in him by giving him a four year deal.

This is already looking like a wonderful piece of business for Hibs as McGinn is just getting better and better in every game culminating in his utterly incredible performance against Holt’s Rangers. Everything to like about him was on show; his strong mentality epitomised by his tenacity and desire. His range of passing, highlighted by the wonderful cross field pass to create the chance for Cummings in the second half. His skill as he spun past Tavanier at full speed and his set piece ability as his free kick won the corner that he took to create Hanlon’s goal.

He is such a modern, complete football player who takes so much responsibility on the pitch. That is where he is better than Holt. While Holt has undoubted talent and goals, McGinn can be the main man and run games for his team. He has only scored six goals in his career but shooting is clearly something he is working on. This season he has already scored twice, including a stunning strike against Raith Rovers. If he adds goals to his game then there really is nothing not to like about John McGinn.

The current Scotland U21 captain, I have no doubt he will go on to be the captain of Hibs and if he continues to develop, even the senior Scotland team captain. With all that has happened to him by 21 he has experience that many players wouldn’t have by the time they are 26. If Hibs can get promoted for next season and he carries his current form on by the summer of 2017, many teams will be chucking money at Hibs in the hope of securing John McGinn’s services.

Vote: John McGinn

Duncan McKay (@DuncMcKay)

John McGinn and Jason Holt have the potential to be future Scotland internationalists and play at a much higher level than the second tier of Scottish football. But they key word is potential. Lots of players have talent, even more have potential, but truly how many of them fulfil it?

In the summer, both players were at a crossroads. McGinn felt his talents were worthy of a higher platform than the bland cookie-cutter stadium that is New St Mirren Park, whereas Holt found himself surplus to requirements at Hearts. Both could be playing this season in the Premiership but have ended up, more pragmatically in the Championship, hedging their bets on two of the biggest clubs in Scotland that are performing well below their optimum levels.

Frankly, I’d have bitten off anyone’s hand that offered Hibs McGinn and Holt over the summer and I’m delighted we signed the former. And I would wager that Hibs have signed the better talent.

Yes, Holt scores more and can look potent on his day in the number 10 role behind a striker or two. And yes, some days he’ll be the difference between Rangers winning and losing, but his ‘base level’ is well below that of McGinn. You know when Holt’s having a stinker. Or worse still, you won’t. Holt can play games where you didn’t even notice him having an influence until he’s substituted. If the base level of his game can be picked up, so he’s always influencing the game even when the tactical match-up doesn’t work for him, then Jason Holt has a big future.

Ultimately, that’s why I prefer McGinn. Even if the team isn’t performing, McGinn is still working, still moving (in that frankly bizarre gait of his), still looking for the ball. He’s already a better player than when he was signed and it’s clear that Alan Stubbs rates him. He’s played almost every game he’s been available and Stubbs has encouraged the coaching staff to improve aspects of his game. This is already paying fruition with two goals this season, including an absolute peach last weekend against Raith Rovers.

A team featuring both McGinn and Holt would be an exciting prospect. But if I’m in a situation where I’m only allowed to play one, it’s John McGinn.

VERDICT: JOHN MCGINN


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