John McGinn will earn his 50th cap for Scotland at Hampden on Saturday and has his eyes on reaching the magical 100 before he hangs up his boots.
But even if he joins Kenny Dalglish in that most exclusive of clubs, the Aston Villa midfielder insists nothing will beat the 13 minutes he spent on the international stage with his big brother Paul. McGinn visibly swells with pride as he recalls that night in September last year in Vienna, Scotland leading Austria 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier, when Paul came off the bench to replace Stephen O’Donnell in the 77th minute.
And as he prepares to hit the half century, the man who will wear the armband against the Republic of Ireland, is adamant nothing will beat that moment. He said: “I have one clear memory and it’s the Austria game away when Paul came on. No matter how many caps I will be able to get, no matter how many goals I score, playing for your country with your brother is something that is unrivalled.
“That night, we knew that it might only have been one. He was brilliant that night, but we knew it might only be one and it might be the only opportunity for that to happen. Qualifying for the Euros is certainly up there, but if I had to choose a moment that stands out, it would be playing with Paul against Austria.”
The 27-year-old admits he still pinches himself at the thought of becoming such a mainstay of the Scotland squad - particularly as he feared he’d blown his chance at the very first international training session he took part in before making his debut against Denmark in 2016. “One would have been enough for me,” he smiles. ”I never ever thought I would play one game for the national team. To be approaching 50 is beyond my wildest dreams.
“It will be an amazing occasion to hopefully do that and it is probably a point to look back on what you have achieved, I don’t get the chance to do that often, but it’s certainly a ‘pinch me’ moment. After my first training session when Shaun Maloney nearly ruined my whole career, I didn’t think I would play!
“I felt out of place, to be honest, but the boys were first class. Broony ( Scott Brown ) took me under his wing, especially since I was at Hibs at the time. Being Scottish, everyone was just a normal guy. They looked after me and didn’t make me feel out of place.
“But I felt out of place in that first session. It was with the group of boys who didn’t play against the Czech Republic and it was small sided games. Shaun turned me inside out and I’ve told him that a few times.
“It was about adapting, getting used to the level, and thankfully being in and around those players helped me get used to it and there was no settling period because the manager showed great faith in me, putting me straight in and myself and Kieran Tierney managed to do all right that night and became mainstays in the squad. That night was surreal. Growing up a Celtic fan, playing alongside Broony was just invaluable for me. The way he spoke through the game.
“I remember for the first time in my career I was really, really nervous about playing in that game. Because I thought if I didn’t play well it might be my last-ever game – not in football but for Scotland. Certainly, that game made me feel hungry for more. I remember the feeling walking off the pitch, waving to my family. I thought: “Right, this is a bit of me.”
“Thankfully from then I managed to become a mainstay in the squad. The feeling has never changed, whether it’s cap one or hopefully cap 50 on Saturday. It’s always a proud moment looking up and seeing the family there.”
McGinn has always been open and honest; a trait not altogether universal in football and when asked if earning 100 caps is on his radar - it has taken him six years to get to 50 - he is unequivocal in his reply. “It’s certainly in the back of my head,” he insists. “Whether it’s possible or not I’m not sure.
“But we’ve got our eyes on Euro 2024 and getting there would be a huge help. Hopefully do three friendlies instead of two. Whenever called upon, I’m always there. If there is a squad get-together,
“I love coming and I love being available. I do have it in the back of my mind but I’d much rather try and get to another two major tournaments before my legs go away from me. I will certainly be able to be called upon until I stop getting chosen and if that means 100 caps, or if it means 70 or 80, I am just proud no matter what.”
Wearing the armband, as he will on Saturday in the absence of Andy Robertson is another honour McGinn doesn’t take lightly. “It’s always good standing in for Robbo,” he adds, “Vice-captain is the best job in football. You can wear the armband but you don’t need to deal with everything else!
“I’m happy to stand in whenever Robbo is not there. I like to think I’m a good listener, I like to advise him as best I can. The support he gives me is amazing, even when he’s not here. It shows the calibre of the guy.
“Every time I’ve captained my country it’s been an amazing feeling but I’m certainly more than happy to stay the second guy. The good thing about being here is that there is no real need for me to speak. There are so many leaders in there, captains of their clubs.
“Big Craig (Gordon), Callum (McGregor), Scott McTominay is a leader in his own right. You could go through the whole squad. I like to lead from the way I play. That’s my way.”
McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador John McGinn was speaking at one of 20 new locations opening this Autumn. Fun Football is the UK’s largest free grassroots football participation programme and will give one million children access to coaching over the next four years. Sign up to attend a session near you at mcdonalds.co.uk/football
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