Kris Boyd has claimed that ‘a lot of people are upset’ about John McGinn’s current form because of Aston Villa’s own struggles in the Premier League, as he told Sky Sports.
The Villa captain is horribly out-of-form as he prepares for Scotland duty on Wednesday, with Boyd making it clear that he isn’t concerned about what is happening with the player at club level.
Steve Clarke’s side, who missed out on a place at the 2022 World Cup, will face off against the team that stopped that opportunity for them, as Ukraine visit Hampden for a second time this year, this time for a UEFA Nations League encounter.
Andy Roberston is Scotland’s captain, but with the Liverpool defender out injured, it may well be the case that McGinn takes the armband.
It’s not worked out for him so far at Villa and the form Steven Gerrard’s side have been in hasn’t exactly helped matters.
But when former Scotland striker Boyd spoke about McGinn’s form and whether he has any concerns, he made it clear that he has no worries with the all-action midfielder.
“No (not concerned by McGinn form),” said Boyd. “With John McGinn, you know as soon as he puts on that Scotland jersey, then you know exactly what you are going to get.
“I might be wrong, but you would imagine he would be the one to break through from midfield to try and get in touch with the striker or strikers, whatever it may be. John McGinn has shown that, at this level, he is a top football player. Yes, when you put on that armband for any football club, then there is that little bit of added pressure.
“But then you can also look at Aston Villa’s form recently and that’s why a lot of people would be upset about it. There’s one thing about John McGinn, when he puts on that Scotland jersey, he very rarely lets you down and it’s going to be another big occasion for him (against Ukraine) with Andy Robertson missing.
“You would imagine he’s going to captain the team.”
GERRARD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MCGINN FORM
It was Gerrard who decided to strip Tyrone Mings of the captaincy and hand it to McGinn, and he has to be truthful, that it’s not working out so far.
Mings was stripped of the armband, not because he lacks leadership qualities, in fact, he is the best at it, both on and off the field at the club.
But the decision was down to the fact that the armband was weighing heavy on the centre-back and affecting his performances, and ironically enough, that’s now happening to McGinn.
Plus, in Villa colours, McGinn needs to be freed a lot more, he needs to be allowed to get closer to the strikers and attack the penalty area, something which he does in Scotland colours and something in which he thrives off, so perhaps take note, Steven?
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