SCOTLAND hero John McGinn helped kick off the festive season in Inverclyde by joining a host of famous faces for a virtual Christmas spectacular.

The Aston Villa midfielder, who helped fire the national side to the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals, sent a special message to local people as part of the council’s virtual lights switch-on event.

His club boss Dean Smith also chipped in and wished everyone well.

McGinn, whose dad Stephen is a teacher at St Columba's High, said: “Just a quick message to everyone in Inverclyde on behalf of myself and the Scotland national team to make sure everyone is staying positive.

“I know it’s been a very difficult time for everyone not being able to go about your business and see your loved ones, so the lucky ones down in Gourock that get taught off my dad, you’re getting to see him a lot more than me at the moment.

“But we will get through this.

"We all need to stick together and just be as positive and patient as possible and then when we get through the other side of this the manager might give me a few days off to come and see you.”

His boss added: “All the best to everybody in Inverclyde - keep well.”

The council’s annual switch-on events went online this year due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions but it proved just as spectacular with the Premier League duo joined by the entire Morton first team squad and Still Game stars who are in the cast of the Inverclyde festive film, The Magical Beacon Stone, in wishing residents a happy Christmas.

The online curtain-raiser also featured the lights from every local town and village accompanied by musical performances of festive favourites from Inverclyde Voices choir and students from Notre Dame High and Clydeview Academy.

There were also routines performed by youngsters from Lucy’s Dance School plus special messages from Provost Martin Brennan, Reverend Alan Sorensen of Wellpark Mid Kirk, and pupils at various primaries and nurseries across the district.

Provost Brennan, who did the honours by switching on the lights, said: “A virtual celebration was not the way anyone imagined we’d be officially marking the start of the festive season in Inverclyde but it was wonderful nonetheless.

“My thanks to everyone who made it such a success, especially all our talented young performers with their fabulous singing and dancing.”

The virtual spectacular was first streamed on Friday night but is still available on the Inverclyde Council Facebook and YouTube channels.

It has been viewed by over 5,500 people on YouTube alone.