'Super John McGinn': Edinburgh Zoo names penguin chick after Scotland World Cup hero
Edinburgh Zoo said penguin chick’s name fits perfectly due to its “strong left flipper” - just like Scotland’s midfield maestro
It's not quite the statue many fans were calling for after his goal earned Scotland a first World Cup win since 1990 - but Super John McGinn at least now has a gentoo chick named in honour.
The latest signing at Edinburgh Zoo's penguin colony was christened 'McGinn' ahead of the team’s final group game against Brazil on Wednesday.
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And the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity that runs the zoo, said the name fits the chick perfectly due to its “strong left flipper”.
Alison MacLean, zoo keeper, said: “After John McGinn scored Scotland’s first World Cup goal for 28 years we wanted to honour his achievement.
“We noticed one of our gentoo penguin chicks has a strong left flipper and knew we had to name him after the man himself.
“While our McGinn won’t be scoring goals anytime soon, we hope visitors will enjoy seeing the curious chick grow up. Who knows, they might just get a call from Steve Clarke for the 2030 squad.”
Keepers at the zoo’s Penguins Rock habitat have given the chick his very own version of a Scotland strip - a blue and white armband that will help him stand out from the crowd of over 150 penguins.
Visitors can book zoo tickets online in advance and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets
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