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Celebrating Scotland Maestro John McGinn!

Date: 25th September 2022

Last night Scotland managed to come from a goal behind to beat Ireland and are one game away from promotion in the Nations League. 

They were led out by John McGinn, the stand-in captain was winning his 50th cap in the process. 

I think this is a great time to reflect on what McGinn has done for his country since bursting onto the international scene back in 2016. 

Things have certainly changed since that night in March six years ago. The crowds at Hampden have grown once again, the national team boss has changed three times since then and seven of the first eleven that night no longer play for Scotland’s senior side. 

A couple of things haven’t changed… Craig Gordon is still our number one between the sticks and John McGinn is still influential in our midfield. He would play the full ninety on his debut and win the man of the match award as the Scots defeated Denmark. 

John McGinn has gone on to become a talismanic performer, one who is adored by the Tartan Army. 

He is this generation’s James McFadden, a player who can have the fans standing on their feet and dreaming. He’s also a star that seems to always turn up for us in the biggest encounters. 

McGinn plays with passion, runs most of the game and will get into the faces of the opposition. He’s a player comfortable in possession, uses his intelligence to make sublime last minute runs into the box and usually composed to take chances when they arrive.

Off the field – the Aston Villa middle-man doesn’t seem to take himself seriously. He’ll laugh at himself, react well when interacting with fans and play around with teammates. That just endears himself even more to the Tartan Army faithful. 

In his 50 international appearances; John has come up with fourteen goals. Those strikes have come in ten games, seven of which ended in Scotland victories and have all come under Steve Clarke’s tenure (39 games).  

It’s hard not to watch John McGinn celebrate a Hampden goal or a Scotland win and not smile. He is just so enthusiastic and proud to be representing his nation. He’s just one of us fans on the field and delivering what we can only dream of. 

That’s why Hampden rocks and roars when the fans sing “We’ve got McGinn, Super John McGinn. I just don’t think you understand!”

The love is mutual. We love him and he loves us.

Thankfully he has helped guide us to a major tournament and with him in our side I truly believe the midfield dynamo along with this current group will get us to another one in Germany 2024. 

Thank you John McGinn and here’s to the next 50 caps! 

 

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