Ally McCoist labelled John McGinn as ‘absolutely magic’ after the Aston Villa man helped Scotland record a 3-2 win against Israel on Saturday.
Villa’s hard-hitting midfielder equalised in the first half, with a stunning curling finish from inside the area, which McCoist described as ‘fantastic’, as he told Sky Sports.
It was an action-packed game at Hampden, with the home team falling behind early-on during their World Cup qualifier, before McGinn equalised.
But moments late, Israel were back ahead, before a second-half comeback from the Scots, including a stoppage-time goal helped them seal all three points.
It was McGinn’s cross into the far post, which was chested home by Scott McTomiany, that won them the game and delighted the home crowd.
And McCoist, who was in jubilant mood in the commentary box, had nothing but positive words to say about McGinn.
“What a finish,” said McCoist. “What a goal and what a finish. Absolutely magic. Don’t underestimate the work of Tierney and Robertson (down the left hand side). Brilliant.
“They work their way, they gave the angle, it’s a lovely bit of give and go. A lovely one-two with Adams (from Robertson). He (McGinn) opens himself up and look at that (curling finish).
“That is absolutely magic. That is the only word for that. Magic. Ohh, brilliant. It’s fantastic. John McGinn, what a goal.”
When wearing those Scotland colours, McGinn is a goalscoring machine and he has now scored 11 goals, under Steve Clarke, during qualifying games.
It’s an outstanding record, especially for a team that only recently qualified for their first major tournament in the summer since 1996.
And McGinn, who plays further up for his country, has been at the heart of it and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s on the scoresheet again when his side take on the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.
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