‘They are scared’: BBC pundit critical of Aston Villa & Celtic duo

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Charlie Adam told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that Celtic’s Callum McGregor and Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn need to score ‘more goals’ and provide ‘more assists’.

The former Premier League player was talking about Scotland’s lack of creative spark and goals in the middle of the park ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Austria tonight.

Both Celtic’s McGregor and Villa’s McGinn will be hoping to feature for their country tonight and prove those doubters wrong.

But ex-Scotland midfielder Adam thinks players are ‘scared’ that they are going to give the ball away.

“Is it the strikers not scoring or is the midfielders not creating,” questioned Adam. “I think it’s a mix of both. If you look at our midfielders then we are all similar type of players.

“We haven’t had that creative Jack Grealish or Foden type player. We have to just find a solution. We aren’t going to score bundles of goals. We have to keep it tight and hope we nick one. Or maybe Che Adams can score a few goals.

“Not just the strikers. I think the midfielders have to also start contributing, getting assists and creating chances to score goals.

“Everyone talks about Callum McGregor, yes, he’s a good footballer. But he doesn’t really score goals. He doesn’t provide assists. John McGinn doesn’t really score goals as a midfielder.

“Yes, they have good energy and are good football players. But as a midfielder, we talk about Lingard early. I am saying I need to get 10 goals and 10 assists. But these lads are like, it’s alright to play sideways and backwards. They are scared to give the ball away.”

Both McGregor and McGinn play much deeper roles at club level, so it’s difficult for them to take their numbers to the next level.

On the international stage, McGinn has shown his goalscoring prowess and played a huge part in them reaching the Euros.

More of the same today and during these forthcoming World Cup qualifiers then fans won’t be too fussed about who is putting the ball into the back of the net, as long as they are winning.