COVID BLOW
McGinn to miss Denmark crunch after positive test
JOHN McGINN has confirmed he will miss Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Denmark on Wednesday after testing positive for Covid.
The Aston Villa midfielder sat out his club’s Premier League draw with Brentford yesterday and will still be in isolation as Scotland kick-off against Group F’s top seeds in Copenhagen.
Normally one of the first names on Steve Clarke’s team sheet and the squad’s top scorer with 10 goals from 36 caps, the loss of the midfielder is a blow to the country’s hopes of making it to
Qatar 2022.
He hopes to return for the second of three consecutive qualifiers, against Moldova at Hampden next weekend, and has backed his team-mates to pull off a big result in his absence.
He said: ‘The good thing is that even though I am missing and big Scott McTominay has pulled out to get an operation, we have strength and depth in several areas.
‘Even with me out, David Turnbull could just slot in. He has been absolutely flying. Kenny (McLean) is back and fit.
‘There are players in there more than capable of getting three points.
‘There are still things we can improve on but we are moving in the right direction. I think we are due a big result.’
‘Virus is still out there ...hopefully this will encourage people to go out and get the vaccine’
FOR John McGinn, last Monday was supposed to deliver his second Covid vaccination jag. He never made the appointment. Hours before the anointed time, a routine lateral flow test produced an entirely unwelcome result. He had been through the drill dozens of times before. As the club doctor approached, he tilted his head and expected little worse than the momentary discomfort inflicted by the mouth and nose swab.
Thirty minutes later, he was on his way home, braced for ten days of isolation and the prospect of watching his country resume its World Cup campaign in Denmark without him.
‘We are still testing twice a week and I’ve had way over 100 negative tests since the start of the pandemic, so I wasn’t thinking anything of it,’ he groans. ‘The doctor said: “Grab your stuff and go, you’ve returned a positive test”. I then had to get a PCR at the house.
‘You can’t get too upset about it. I saw it with the Scotland boys over the summer, Billy Gilmour and Flecky (John Fleck).
‘So I was well prepared for the protocols I would be facing. At the same time, I never thought it would be me. I thought I had some sort of immunity!’
That last rueful comment should not be mistaken for flippancy. McGinn, 26, had happily taken up the option of his first vaccine shot and was ready for his second.
As cases rise across the country and start to again cause havoc within football, he offers a sincere message to any young person who might be reading.
‘The main thing is I am healthy and feeling fine,’ adds the 36-times capped player. ‘Unfortunately, there are still people dying from this or getting really ill.
‘Hopefully me getting it might encourage a lot more young people to realise the virus is still out there and go and get the vaccine.’
With manager Dean Smith selecting a shadow side for the EFL Cup, McGinn would have missed Tuesday’s trip to Barrow regardless but it was painful to sit out yesterday’s Premier League game against Brentford.
A full dose of Scottish football’s European ties on Thursday evening helped stem the boredom for a bit but he admits he’ll find it tougher to watch events unfold at the Parken Stadium in three days time.
A patriotic Scot who is also top scorer within Steve Clarke’s squad, McGinn is a stick-on starter for his country when fit.
‘When I found out it was ten days, I knew I’d miss the Brentford game and sat calculating to find out if I could make the Denmark game.
‘Unfortunately, the ten days takes me just beyond that but, hopefully, I will be available for the matches against Moldova and Austria.
‘The frustrating thing is we know how important the first game is. But I will be in the house, hoping and praying we get the three points that will stand us in good stead.’
With Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Stuart Armstrong of Southampton already missing, Clarke’s midfield options are stretched ahead of what on paper will be the team’s toughest fixture of the entire campaign.
Having dropped points in the first two fixtures against Austria and Israel, the prospects of making it to next year’s tournament in Qatar already look compromised but McGinn believes Clarke’s midfield options should be sufficient.
At Wembley during the Euros, the Aston Villa man was the most advanced of a trio anchored by Callum McGregor and Gilmour. Both excelled against England and have started the season at a good level.
‘I wasn’t surprised by how Billy played at Wembley because he came into training and it was as if he’d been there for years,’ said McGinn.
‘And everyone knows how good Cal is. He got unwarranted criticism last season at Celtic, given the level he’s reached previously and the amount of games he’s played.
‘Us leaving the Euros early has given him time to freshen up and show how good a player he is.
‘Kenny McLean is back flying again after injury and we’ve got David Turnbull in there as well.
‘As much as it’s disappointing that I’ll miss out on Wednesday night, it would be a lot more catastrophic if we didn’t have so many good players to replace me or add to what I’d bring.’
In McLean, Clarke has a trusted option and one who will be bursting to impress after missing the Euros through injury.
However, McGinn wonders aloud whether Celtic’s Turnbull might be the surprise choice to start against the Danes. Despite a quiet night in Alkmaar on Thursday, the former Motherwell man has started the season in excellent form for Ange Postecoglou.
He does, however, play the game in a completely different style to McGinn. While the ex-Hibs star is a high-energy operator, Turnbull glides around the pitch trusting his impeccable touch and technique to carve out space and opportunity.
McGinn said: ‘David’s capable of playing in that midfield role ahead of the two sitters.
‘I watched his first start for Scotland before the Euros and even then, he was top drawer.
‘It’s weird because he doesn’t really play like a Scotland player. His technique and quality is second to none.
‘He plays that role extremely differently to me but it’s a great option for the manager to have.
‘I watched his hat-trick against St Mirren and given the way Celtic
‘I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME... AS IF I HAD SOME KIND OF IMMUNITY!
are playing, he can get 20-plus goals for them this season.
‘Hopefully he’s saving one for the dark-blue jersey on Wednesday night and he gets us that vital win.’
Regardless of what happens on Wednesday, a victory against the Moldovans next weekend is essential if the team is to keep qualification hopes alive.
Thus far, McGinn’s Covid symptoms have affected nothing more than his sense of smell and therefore he is tentatively confident of being fit to play.
‘I’m very fortunate to be at a club that can deliver treadmills,’ he laughs. ‘When I got the positive test, a couple of maintenance guys took one out of the training ground and brought it to the house, so I’ve been doing that to stay fit.
‘I’ve probably been in the best shape I’ve ever been fitness wise. It’s not ideal having ten days of doing nothing, so I’m aware that I need to keep on top of it.
‘I’m not naive enough to think I’ll just come back and be absolutely flying but I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure I’m ready for the Moldova game if and when I get a negative test next week.’
Although Clarke has been fully briefed regarding McGinn’s situation, Villa’s wish to keep the test result quiet ahead of yesterday’s game meant he was unable to share his frustration with his international team-mates.
‘Everyone speaks about how close all the Scotland boys are and it’s true — it has been difficult trying to keep this quiet and not tell them I won’t be playing,’ he adds. ‘I will be a supporter for the night on Wednesday. I know we are capable of going there and getting a result.
‘Hopefully, I can celebrate with a Coke Zero in the house.’