Maybe he thought there would be too much competition at Celtic

“He could have been playing Champions League football with Celtic but I don’t think it’s necessary for John to play there right now.

“Maybe he’s been guaranteed a start at Villa, I don’t know. But going there will empower him and increase his confidence. Of course, that would also have happened if he’d signed for Celtic because he’s a boy who believes in himself.

“With the start he’s made there, the likelihood is he will be playing for them most weeks and that’s important.”

But even though he’s not overly fussed about McGinn missing out on European experience McLeish will still be keeping his fingers crossed tonight that Celtic stay on course to make the group stages of this season’s competition.

The more the likes of Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths and Ryan Christie are exposed to this rarified level of football, the better it will be for Scotland’s chances of finally getting back to a major finals after 20 years in the scrubber.

McLeish said: “Playing in big European games should increase your knowledge and technical ability with the lessons you learn.

“It’s been tough for Celtic in terms of the teams they’ve been drawn against in recent seasons – the Barcelonas and PSGs – but the players are growing as a result of that.

“They have more nous now, of course that helps the national team.”

With Andy Robertson, James McArthur, Stuart Armstrong, Matt Ritchie, Ryan Fraser, Robert Snodgrass, Tom Cairney, Kevin McDonald and Scott McTominay all operating in England’s top flight on the opening weekend, McLeish has picked a good time to start the serious business of managing the country.

The visit of Belgium might whet the appetite but McLeish’s task begins for real against the Albanians when the new-look UEFA Nations League gets under way – offering a safety net route into Euro 2020.

McLeish said: “I saw them all and it was good to see the boys flourishing in the Premier League because you know how many foreigners are there now.

“It’s very difficult to see too many Scots emerging but the ones who are currently playing are in good form.

“It’s exciting because there are big games ahead. Belgium might capture the imagination of the punters but the Albania game is much more important in the grand scheme of things.

“We’ve got to start winning. Qualifying with Scotland would be up there with anything I’ve done in 22 years as a coach.

ALEX McLEISH

“The next guy who gets Scotland to a major finals will be a national hero.

“Will they build a statue of me? I’d hope so!” JO LOVE says the memory of City’s dramatic Champions League qualification will give her “goosebumps”.

The Scotland ace nodded in the first-half opener but had to wait until the 86th minute for Sam Kerr’s vital second to send them through to the last 32.

City finished on the same points and goal difference as Gornik and Anderlecht, who thrashed Martve 10-0 in the other Group 3 tie, but scored one goal more.

Love said: “It’s our best display for a long time. We have our best results in the Champions League when people don’t expect us to.

“This one is up there and will give me goosebumps in years to come.”