I will fight tooth nail and to face Kazakhstan
Skipper bids to KO abscess op agony and bolster Scots
CAPTAIN courageous Andy Robertson is set to climb off the dentist’s chair and fly out to face Kazakhstan.
The Scotland skipper is refusing to admit defeat on the Euro 2020 qualifier after undergoing an op on a painful abscess yesterday. The Liverpool full-back didn’t travel on the
SCOTT BROWN took him under his wing and now John McGinn is ready to be released and fly for Scotland.
The Aston Villa midfielder can’t wait to accept the responsibility as long-term replacement for the Celtic star in the engine room of the national team.
McGinn, 24, is in line to win his 14th cap in Astana on Thursday night as the Scots bid to get the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to a winning start against Kazakhstan.
The former St Mirren and Hibs player wants to lead by example after a stunning first season in England as Villa bid to return to the Premier League. McGinn has been a virtual ever-present in guiding Dean Smith’s side into play-off contention – and with five goals already, including three in the last week alone, he is on course to beat his season best tally of six set last year at Easter Road.
McGinn’s arrival on the international scene three years ago overlapped with the last days of Brown’s reign and he has paid tribute to the Hoops skipper for welcoming him with open arms.
He said: “I’m aware I’ve been compared with Scott and he’s a player I’ve looked up to massively.
“He took me under his wing when I first went into the Scotland squad and as a former Hibs player knew exactly the position I was in and how daunting it was to initially step up to the national side.
“Scotty used to say I was a bit more attack-minded but I’ve noticed he’s managed to get a few goals recently. If I could achieve half as much in my career I will be delighted.
“He never saw me as a threat and that’s why he’s been so successful. He has an influence on the dressing room and always tries to help everyone further their career.”
McGinn has played almost 40 games this season for Villa and his recent scoring run is a reflection of how well he has adapted to the English game since his £3million switch from Hibs.
He has been given permission to roam and his energy in driving from box to box is as big an asset for club as Alex McLeish hopes it will be for country.
McGinn said: “I should be scoring more often, especially as the manager has asked me to play a new position, slightly more advanced and with a licence to get into the box.
“I’ve scored five but given the chances we create I should be hitting at least 10. It’s something I’ve been trying to work on. I feel as if I’ve been saying that every year but hopefully I can build on this recent run.
“At Hibs we had Scott Allan and Liam Henderson always in the No.10 position so it forced me and Dylan McGeouch to play a little deeper.
“I really enjoyed playing in Scotland but it’s a new challenge in the Championship because you’re only playing each team twice and you’re going to big grounds and playing tough games every week.
“The big difference with Scotland is the physicality of every team and you know if you don’t go into every game 100 per cent at it you’re going to get done over. It’s a style and league that suits me and I’m thriving.
“It’s important when you play for a club such as Aston Villa to realise it’s not an easy league and even the teams scrapping at the bottom can beat anyone else on their day.
“We went through a spell over a month or two when we didn’t show great form but we’re in contention for the play-off spots which shows how close and competitive the league is. It’s only bringing myself and the other Scottish lads on.”
Long gone are the days when a Scotland boss was afforded the luxury of picking a squad of anglos from sides in the upper reaches of the English game.
McLeish named a 27-man squad last for the double header against Kazakhstan and San Marino and 11 of them represented clubs in the English Championship or League One.
McGinn said: “A lot of players and pundits can be talking the Scottish league down and it’s not until players and coaches actually experience it they start respecting it.
“Alan Hutton and I are always fighting the corner for Scottish football. It’s a really tough league down here with a lot of quality players trying to get into the Premier League.”
McGinn has already been tipped to star in the EPL next season, if Villa are there or not, with Brendan Rodgers eyeing another move for a player the Celtic board failed to deliver.
But he won’t go Billy Big Time and said: “If you try too hard to fit in you become something you are not. Even now I just try to be the same as I was at St Mirren and Hibs. I’ll never change.
“I look at the likes of Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown and they’re just normal people. They are humble and work away to become the best they can. That’s the path I’ve tried to follow.”
If I could achieve half as much in my career I’ll be delighted JOHN McGINN ON HIS MENTOR SCOTT BROWN