Steve Clarke has challenged Aston Villa captain John McGinn to go on to reach 100 caps for Scotland. The Tartan Army boss is in awe of what the midfielder offers his engine room.
McGinn is set to make a half-century of caps when Scotland hosts the Republic of Ireland on Saturday. The 27-year-old first featured for his national side in March 2016 and became an instrumental presence in their side the following year. He is also now their vice-captain.
- WORLD CUP: ONE PLAYER TO WATCH FROM ALL 32 NATIONS PLAYING AT QATAR 2022
- WORLD CUP: DATES FOR THE KEY GAMES AT THE 2022 QATAR EDITION
Clarke has given the Glasgow native the armband in the absence of regular skipper Andrew Robertson. The Liverpool left-back will miss Scotland’s UEFA Nations League meeting with the Republic of Ireland while he continues his recovery from a knee injury on Merseyside.
Scotland will also round out their League B Group E campaign against rivals Ukraine at the Cracovia Stadium in Krakow on Tuesday. The Tartan Army beat the Blue and Yellow 3-0 at Hampden Park on Wednesday to top their grouping by two points with two games to play.
McGinn recorded the opening effort in Glasgow after 70 minutes for his 14th Scotland goal so far. The Aston Villa skipper also has seven assists over his previous 49 appearances for the Tartan Army. Creating or assisting on Saturday could now see Scotland seal promotion.
Steve Clarke hails ‘bright’ Aston Villa captain John McGinn before 50th Scotland cap
Clarke is in awe of what McGinn has offered Scotland during the Aston Villa midfielder’s 35 appearances under him to date. The Tartan Army boss now hopes to see the £70k-a-week star go on and record at least another 50 caps and, hopefully, add to his creative records.
“You’ve just got to look at his contributions, his goalscoring record, his assists,” Clarke said, via quotes by the Daily Mail. “He can play different midfield positions and he brings his own bubbly, bright personality into the group. He’s a key member of the squad.
“Hopefully, he can keep it going and get to 100, and get a few more goals and assists.”
McGinn has only scored in three-straight games for Scotland once previously. He found the net in three-straight European Championship qualifying fixtures in October and November 2019. His efforts included a hat-trick against San Marino and a brace against Kazakhstan.
The Aston Villa star could now repeat his 2019 feat with a goal at home to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday. McGinn has never scored in four-in-a-row, which could be possible on Tuesday against Ukraine if he can find the net at least one in both Nations League fixtures.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
