Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce admits he wishes he could find more signings like John McGinn.

Bruce signed McGinn for Aston Villa for a knockdown £2m.

"I wish I could find a few more of him," admitted Bruce of McGinn. “He has to be one of my best ever signings because he has a determination to do well.

“It took him a minute to win over the supporters at Villa when I was manager because he crashed into a tackle, sprayed a 50-yard pass and had a shot in his first few minutes."

He added: “We nearly didn't sign him because we couldn't afford £2m, but we whipped him away from Celtic just at the right time.

"I always knew he'd be very good, but he's surpassed expectations.

“How we kept him away from Celtic I don't know because his grandfather was the chairman!

“It took a couple of games of golf at the Belfry with his dad until we could muster the money together. I am delighted for the kid because he is smashing lad."