DYKES AT DOUBLE
McGinn eases way for Lyndon
JOHN McGINN made amends for his costly World Cup miss by helping Scotland grab control of their Nations League destiny.
The Scotland captain’s wayward header against Ukraine in their semifinal play-off defeat broke Scottish hearts in June.
But his second-half strike at Hampden Park set Steve Clarke’s men on their way to victory to put Scotland top of Group B1 with two matches to go.
Second-half substitute Lyndon Dykes produced a superb late cameo, adding two headed goals.
McGinn, along with Scott McTominay, beat out the rhythm that others followed in a convincing performance.
If Scotland can top this Nations League group after the final two games against Republic of Ireland and Ukraine again in Krakow, a play-off place for Euro 2024 will be theirs.
Since Ukraine’s victory here Scotland’s progress had “stalled”, according to Clarke, with two wins over Armenia either side of a crushing defeat to Ireland in this group.
Yet last night the Scots were vibrant.
Ukraine were fortunate to stay at full strength when Valeriy Bondar felled Che Adams with a cynical shoulder charge when the striker was running through on goal.
Scotland dominated the second half, Aston Villa ace McGinn staying strong to spin Bondar and fire home on 70 minutes.
And Dykes then headed home from two Ryan Fraser corners late on to confirm the points.
SCOTLAND (5-4-1): Gordon 6; Patterson 6 (Hickey 26, 7), McTOMINAY 8, Hendry 7, McKenna 7, Tierney 6 (Taylor 85); Armstrong 5 (Fraser 77), McGinn 7, McGregor 7, Christie 6 (McLean 85); Adams 7 (Dykes 77).