Villa Park lynchpin McGinn opened the scoring for his nation only for the visitors to come from behind to secure victory.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn spoke after a bittersweet night on Scotland duty, where he finally claimed his maiden senior international goal but found himself on the receiving end of a 2-1 loss at the hands of Russia, which leaves the nation’s Euro 2020 qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
The 24-year-old gave Steve Clarke’s side the lead at Hampden Park, pouncing on Guilherme Marinato’s spill, but slack defending allowed Artem Dzyuba to strike before Stephen O’Donnell’s own goal put Russia ahead and ultimately gave them all three points at the expense of the Scots.
Scotland sit six points adrift of the Russians in fourth with five games to play and the top two qualifying from the group, and on Monday they host Belgium, the top ranked team in the world and a very difficult proposition as things stand.
“It was obviously a fantastic feeling to score,” McGinn told Sky Sports News, as quoted by BBC Sport. “It’s something that has been bugging me. I’ve been getting on the score sheet at club level and it’s something I was really keen to do but if I could swap it now for the three points I would do it every day of the week.
“We were in a really good position in a game we needed to win. We were on the front foot and everyone will agree we started the game well and showed what we’re capable of. But then we dropped back and invited Russia on to us and they punished us. We have been punished tonight.”
Defeat ended Scotland’s run of nine competitive home games without a loss, and it marks the first time they have lost at home after taking the lead since March 2013, when they lost 2-1 to Wales (BBC Sport).
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