Dutch rout gives McGinn a strong incentive
WEDNESDAY’s 6-1 defeat to Holland was a bruising affair that drew out the masochist in John McGinn. Humbled by the superiority of the Dutch, the Scotland Under-21 starlet resolved to bring much more physical pain into his life.
Operating on his home turf, the St Mirren midfielder struggled to make an impact against opponents who were universally stronger and technically superior to their Scots hosts.
Having entered the game confident in both his and his team-mates’ capacity to handle the challenge, the night was a bitter wake-up call. Regularly praised for his performances at club level, McGinn felt he could comfortably cope with what the Dutch would offer. Now wiser, he’s planning a load of extra gym time.
‘Holland are by far the best team I have ever played against and we’ve just got to try to become as good,’ he said. ‘The loss teaches us about standards.
‘We couldn’t get near them at times. They have explosive movement. They are all faster and stronger than what you are used to playing against in the Scottish Premiership.
‘It’s difficult to compare them even to Celtic. It’s a different game.
‘I see myself as a strong boy but what the game proved is that I need to be stronger and I need to improve.
‘It was a reality check and a totally different experience but one that I will cash in on.’
The defeat leaves Billy Stark’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s European Championships hanging by a thread as even victories in the two remaining away fixtures in Slovakia and Luxembourg would probably still not be enough to push Scotland into the play-offs.
Still only 19, McGinn will be eligible for the next campaign and would like another crack at the Dutch in future.
‘We went into the game confident in our own ability but you need to give them huge credit because they were fantastic,’ he added.
‘I want to get more caps and learn from these experiences. I hope we get a chance to come up against them again, show we have learned from it and provide them with a sterner test.
McGinn will be operating under a different club boss next season after Danny Lennon’s exit.
However, the decision to promote Lennon’s No2 Tommy Craig will ensure continuity.
‘Not much will change. Tommy has a philosophy and he’ll stick by it.
‘He has been a big influence on my career and I’m sure he will help me continue to develop.’