McGinn latest to drop out of Scots squad

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn became the eighth player to withdraw from the Scotland squad yesterday.

Alex McLeish’s plans for the Uefa Nations League double-header against Albania and Israel were dealt a further blow by the news that McGinn, the former St Mirren and Hibernian midfielder, had picked up a calf injury and would return to his club.

He is expected to be a doubt for next weekend’s derby with Birmingham City, after missing out on adding to his 13 Scotland caps.

It follows the withdrawals of Mikey Devlin, Ryan Jack, John McLaughlin, Kevin McDonald, Craig Gordon, Stephen O’Donnell and Charlie Mulgrew, with Scott Bain, Jamie MacDonald, David Bates, Jack Hendry and Scott McTominay all drafted in as replacements.

Robert Snodgrass, Tom Cairney and Matt Ritchie have declared their unavailability for Scotland while James McArthur has retired from international duty due to persistent back problems.

Devlin and Jack suffered ankle and knee problems respectively, while Gordon (knee and hip) and McDonald (hamstring) both missed last weekend’s games for their clubs.

Blackburn defender Mulgrew is nursing a rib injury and O’Donnell missed the win over Hearts with a hamstring problem.

McLaughlin was excused from Scotland duty to be available for Sunderland’s game against Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow, as he was unlikely to feature for the national side in Shkoder. Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is acutely aware that it is only a matter of time before yet another club bids for Dons defender Scott McKenna.

Offers from Aston Villa and Celtic were snubbed during the summer transfer window, while Hull City also had bids rejected.

McKenna’s stock is high on the back of an impressive debut campaign, which earned