Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McGinn out to maintain his goalscoring run for Scotland in play-offs
JOHN McGinn admits he is looking to score every time he pulls on a Scotland shirt after his double helped Steve Clarke’s side to a 3-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Kazakhstan at Hampden Park.
The Aston Villa midfielder took his tally to seven in six international games as the Scots came back from a terrific opener in the 34th minute from Baktiyor Zaynutdinov.
McGinn levelled three minutes into the secondhalf with a deflected free-kick before captain Steven Naismith headed in a second with McGinn adding a third at the end.
Scotland finished third in Group I with their third successive win and, although they have failed to qualify for next summer’s finals through the conventional method, they have the chance to get there through the Nations League play-offs.
McGinn insists he had “never” enjoyed a similar run of goalscoring form but is confident of keeping it going.
He said: “I think that it helps me that Naisy (Naismith) wants to come and link the play and I can feed off the scraps.
“If I can help the team with goals I am happy to do so.
“I am in a good run of form with goals and, hopefully, I can carry it on.”
Scotland will be at home on March 26 and will discover their opponents in Friday’s draw.
The other semi-final is definitely Norway versus Serbia and the draw to see who will have home advantage in the final will also take place at the end of the week.
McGinn is confident of qualification to next year’s finals.
H e s a i d : “W e h av e players playing at the top of their game at club level and, hopefully, we can show that under the pressure.”