Leanne Crichton believes Aston Villa captain John McGinn finds another level for Scotland after he scored against Cyprus. The midfielder struck in a Euro 2024 qualifier this Saturday.
The 28-year-old broke the deadlock after 21 minutes at Hampden Park as the Tartan Army kicked off their qualifying campaign. McGinn and manager Steve Clarke are bidding to take Scotland to back-to-back European Championships for the first time since 1992 and 1996.
Scotland also failed to advance from Group D at Euro 2020 before failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. McGinn played every minute of the Tartan Army’s three matches at Euro 2020. But they only drew with England between defeats to the Czech Republic and Croatia.
John McGinn fired Scotland ahead in their Euro 2024 qualifier vs Cyprus
McGinn has been a vital cog in Scotland’s engine room since Malky Mackay was in charge back in 2017. Saturday’s goal against Cyprus came in the Glasgow natives’ 53rd cap. It was also his 16th goal, while further entering the Group A clash with seven assists in 52 games.
Scotland pressed early in search of an opening goal against Cyprus that Aston Villa skipper McGinn would ultimately deliver. Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson’s deflected cross found a way through to the midfielder at the back post to then beat Demetris Demetriou.
A VAR check threatened to rule McGinn’s goal out but Valentin Roberge’s foot was playing Robertson onside in the build-up. It marked the Aston Villa and Liverpool pair’s fourth goal involvement over 39 appearances for the Tartan Army. They first played together in 2017.
Crichton feels the Aston Villa captain finds another level for the Tartan Army
Aston Villa are yet to see McGinn’s goal threat pay dividends this season like Scotland saw against Cyprus. The former Hibernian technician has offered two assists but is yet to score through 25 games this season. He has made 23 of his appearances in the Premier League.
So, after McGinn fired Scotland ahead against Cyprus, ex-Tartan Army midfielder Crichton claimed the Aston Villa star is capable of finding an even higher level on international duty.
“John McGinn is a top performer in club football,” Crichton told BBC Sportsound. “But at [the] international level, he is outstanding and he is a talisman for this team.”
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