McGinn: Ouronly excuse was the Hampden pitch
John McGinn was thrilled to move up another place in the Scotland all-time goalscorers’ list.
Only six players have now hit more goals for the Scotland team than the Aston Villa midfielder.
His opener against Cyprus yesterday saw him move above James McFadden and postwar Rangers striker Bob Hamilton to claim seventh place with 16 goals.
Only Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish, Hughie Gallacher, Lawrie Reilly, Ally McCoist and Kenny Miller are above him.
Miller, on 18, is his next target. But McGinn preferred to concentrate on the significance of the strike that broke Cyprus’ resistance yesterday.
He said: “I am delighted to get on the scoresheet, but I just wanted anyone to break the deadlock.
“The focus is to try get us to Germany, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have dreams of getting as high up the ladder as possible, and joining those names.
“I am just happy to contribute, and help the team. But in a selfish way, I am also happy to get that 16th goal.
“I was aware that I have now overtaken James McFadden – I had checked the list beforehand!
“It’s good, and a bit surreal, especially as it took me 15 caps to get my first goal.
“But it’s good to help the team, and the main thing is we get to the Euros.
“These games can be difficult if you take too long to get the first goal.
“It was good get to the early goal, but after that we didn’t really build on it, which was frustrating.
“We need to be honest. If we want to get to the Euros we need to improve.
“If we want to move to the next level, we need to be better, and we felt that walking off the pitch.
“We need to be brighter. We were a bit flat. I am being a bit picky as we won 3-0, but it was one of those days where it could have been 1-1.
“Maybe I am being harsh on us.
“There is plenty to improve on, but we have ended the hoodoo from the last few campaigns and started off with a win.”
McGinn wasn’t too impressed with the Hampden surface.
He said: “If we have any excuse, it was the pitch. It was really tough to play on.
“I remember watching Celtic against Rangers a few weeks ago, and it looked the same.
“It was tough to play on for both teams – but it might not suit Spain.
“Hopefully they water it before Tuesday.
”It was just tough underfoot and slippy. A lot of the players were falling about, even big Angus Gunn.
“It was difficult to play our stuff, but thankfully we clicked late on and got another two goals.”