Mcginn: I will always answer Scotland call
Scotland’s end-of-season tour to Peru and Mexico has come in for widespread criticism but midfielder John Mcginn says he wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Mcginn has had a busy 201718 campaign, having played 43 domestic games for Hibernian as well as four Scotland internationals. He has earned a rest. However, the 23-yearold insists that playing for his country far outweighs a desire to get over the effects of a hard season.
Mcginn said: “Every time I
get the opportunity to play for Scotland it’s a massive honour, something I’ve dreamed about doing since I was young. So, every chance I get to pull on the jersey, no matter where it is, I’ll always be there if I’m fit.”
Alex Mcleish’s men play World Cup-bound Peru in the early hours of Wednesday morning and then on Saturday face Mexico, who are also heading to Russia this summer. While several Scotland players have either been rested or withdrew before the squad departed Glasgow last week, Mcginn is set to add to his seven caps.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, the player added: “Obviously, at the end of the season, you’ve got bumps and bruises and boys will have reason for pulling out. But, on a personal level, it’ll be the first time I’ll hopefully have played in South America, which is priceless.
“The same with going to mexico, playing at altitude–I’ ve never done it before and it can only help us improve and playing against two teams going to the World Cup can only help us get to that level, which is what everyone wants.”
With a much-changed squad at his disposal for the two friendlies, Mcleish will hand out several new caps. Dylan Mcgeouch, who plays alongside Mcginn in the heart of the Hibs midfield, is one player almost certain to make his debut, and the chance to reproduce their Easter Road partnership on the international stage is something that excites Mcginn. “Absolutely. Even in training today, he was always looking out to see where I was and that’s brilliant for me,” he added.
“It’s pretty natural playing alongside him now. This season, we’ve managed to see the best of Dylan and a cap will be long overdue for him.
“He’s been different class for us this season and he’s a player I love playing beside. If the manager decides to put us together, I think we’ll both enjoy it and put on a good performance.”
Another Hibs player looking for his first cap is 30-yearold left-back Lewis Stevenson, who could take advantage of the absences of Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Wolverhamptonwanderers’ barry douglas.
“He doesn’t say much,” Mcginn said of Stevenson. “He’s delighted. There’s no-one in Scottish football deserves it more.
“He’s such a hard-working guy, so humble and he’s honoured to be here. He’s such an under-rated player and it’s great to see him get the recognition he deserves.”
While Mcginn was happy to wax lyrical about his fellow Hibs players in the Scotland squad, he isn’t sure whether they will still be his clubmates next season. Mcginn has a year left on his current deal and, unless a new one can be agreed, this summer will perhaps be the last chance for Hibs to command a decent transfer fee for the midfielder.
“There’ll obviously be discussions” he said. “There’s been a lot of speculation, but I’m sure it’s something the club, my family and agent will sit down and decide about.
“But, at this moment in time, I’m just concentrating on Scotland, trying to play the best I can and, whether I’m at Hibs for another few games or for the whole season, I would be delighted to be there.”