HE’S McGINN THE TEAM TO STAY
Lenny backs in-form Hibee to be Scots star
NEIL LENNON insists John McGinn’s powerhouse performance against Holland should ensure he becomes an automatic starter for Scotland.
The Hibs midfielder turned in a superb display for Malky Mackay’s youthful side during last week’s 1-0 friendly defeat at Pittodrie.
Lennon knows the 23-yearold’s irresistible form for club and country will make it all the more difficult for Hibs to hold on to him in January.
But the Northern Irishman insists his prize asset won’t be flogged on the cheap.
Lenny said: “I thought John was excellent against Holland, He didn’t look out of place and that will have done him the world of good.
“He is certainly good enough and I’d like to think he’s there to stay now.
“John is one of the best midfielders in the country with the form he is in at the minute.
“I don’t like lavishing praise on my players and going overboard but he is certainly in a rich vein of form and he has taken that into the international set-up.
“The more John plays and the form he shows then it’s inevitable there will be interest from elsewhere.
“There will be a price to pay – we are in a good position in terms of finance where we don’t have to sell ourselves short.
“For his own progress John might want to look elsewhere. But he is very happy here at the minute.
“John has a goal in him as well and is starting to find the back of the net for us.
“There is still a lot more to come from his game, but he will get that as he develops.
“John’s range of passing is improving all the time. His tackling can be ferocious, he has great desire and there is an honesty about John that you don’t want to lose either.
“He is maturing into a very good all-round midfield player.”
Lennon admits St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright would be the ideal successor to Michael O’Neill if the Northern Ireland boss decides to switch to Scotland. But the Hibs boss ruled himself out.
He said: “It doesn’t surprise me to see Tommy Wright’s name in the frame as potential replacement for Michael.
“Tommy had a great career playing for Northern Ireland and he’s worked as part of the coaching staff.
“He would be, I’d imagine, a prime candidate for it.
“I enjoy what I do and I like the day to day thing – I’d miss that too much.
“I don’t think I’m ready for international management.”
He didn’t look out of place against Holland and it will have done him the world of good NEIL LENNON