John McGinn has shone in the Premier League but his season took a turn for the worse in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Russia.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn admits he is ‘hurting’ after Scotland suffered a humiliating defeat against Russia in Euro 2020 qualifying on Thursday, in quotes reported by The Mail.
Despite boasting the likes of Ryan Fraser, Robert Snodgrass, Callum McGregor and McGinn, who has shone in the Premier League this season, Steve Clarke’s Scotland were made to look like a bunch of ragtag amateurs on Moscow soil.
Inspired by the brilliant two-goal striker Artem Dzyuba, Russia stormed to a 4-0 win which actually flattered the visitors.
As a result, Scotland will now have to rely on a play-off if they want to reach the European Championships next summer and McGinn knows that they must improve and fast if they are to avoid being stuck at home yet again.
“It was horrible in the dressing room at the end,’ said the former Hibernian star. ‘Everyone wants the same thing, we all want to be successful. There are no bad lads in there, we’re all working together and it hurts when it goes the way it did here.
“Unless we start learning fast how to deal with certain situations in these games we’ll keep getting punished.
“There’s no one hurting more than us. We’re hurting for the supporters and the manager, for everyone who cares about the team. It’s not a good feeling.”
McGinn has been outstanding in his first ever campaign in England’s top flight, scoring three times in eight Premier League games with his tenacity, technique and late runs into the penalty area earning him plenty of plaudits.
It would be a shame for McGinn to miss out on Euro 2020 but that is the reality facing a Scotland side who continue to look far less than the sum of their parts.
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