The Scotsman

Mcginn to star for Scotland in key World Cup qualifiers

● Hibs player is ideal man to fill Brown void ● Newcastle’s Ritchie is the latest to pull out

- By ANDREW SMITH

Craig Gordon believes John Mcginn could be the perfect fit to replace injured captain Scott Brown for Scotland’s decisive World Cup qualifying double-header this week. The Celtic keeper sees the Hibs midfielder as one of the few players available to Gordon Strachan who possesses Brown’s dynamism and dig.

Mcginn’s two exquisite strikes in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Parkhead left Gordon purring over the 22-yearold’sability,andrecogni­singthatth­e four-times capped player even has a forward threat beyond that associated with the Celtic captain.

Gordon believes the absence of Brown, out with a hamstring injury, could provide Mcginn, pictured, with the chance to shine on the grand stage, as he did on Saturday alongside home double-scorer Callum Mcgregor. The Celtic midfielder was yesterday given a longchampi­oned call-up for the matches with Slovakia on Thursday and Slovenia three days later – games Scotland must win to earn a play-off slot. The absence of Stuart Armstrong, also through injury, could present an opening for Mcgregor, although Scotland suffered another injury blow last night as winger Matt Ritchie also withdrew from the squad after playing in Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Gordon, though, has no doubt that Mcginn and Mcgregor have earned serious considerat­ion for the double-header. Asked if the Hibernian man could be the new Scott Brown, the keeper said: “He’s not too dissimilar to Scott, although he plays a wee bit further forward and carries a bit more of a goal threat than Broony. In terms of breaking up play and getting [opponents] moving in the wrong direction they are alike. There are not too many players that play the game like that. We’re not

so he’s given himself a good shot at coming in for Scott.”

Speaking about Mcgregor before the midfielder’s call-up yesterday, Gordon was equally enthusiast­ic that his club teammate – who bolstered the number of Celtic players in the internatio­nal set-up to five – can be an asset to any team.

“His finishes against Hibs were brilliant, he was so calm to stick them away and every time he is called upon he is so reliable,” said Gordon. “He’s a really good footballer and never complains even if he doesn’t start every game. If he’s coming off the bench he comes in and scores goals and creates and is a great boy to have in the squad.”

The loss of Brown and Armstrong may change the way Scotland play, but Gordon is refusing to be downbeat. “They’ve been crucial and the runs they make and the distance they cover is incredible,” he added. “Stuarty is a goal threat and they will be missed but we have players who can come in and cover those positions. We’re still feeling good.”

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