John McGinn discusses Scotland’s World Cup qualification hopes ahead of their match against Belarus, emphasizing the excitement within the squad and the positive influence of emerging young talents.
Scotland's John McGinn has revealed the excitement surrounding the prospect of reaching the World Cup, as the nation prepares to face Belarus in a crucial qualifying match. The game, set to be broadcast live on BBC, holds significant importance for Scotland's aspirations of securing a spot in the prestigious tournament.
Fresh from their draw against Denmark in Copenhagen, where McGinn delivered a standout performance, the Scotland squad is now focused on the challenge posed by Belarus. McGinn acknowledged that after the match against Denmark, the team enjoyed a quiet night, a stark contrast to the Tartan Army who celebrated the hard-fought point.
With no fans present at the match in Hungary, the focus is solely on securing three points against Belarus, a victory that would provide a significant boost to their qualification campaign. The Aston Villa captain followed a commanding performance as Steve Clarke's side skipped out of Copenhagen with an away point to Group C's top seeds with a settled night.
"We went for a wander in Copenhagen but there was still loads of the Tartan Army about, so there's only so many selfies you can handle," McGinn told BBC Sport Scotland.
Image source, SNSJohn McGinn has scored 20 goals in 77 Scotland appearances
The discussion about the World Cup is palpable, with fans and pundits already envisioning Scotland's potential participation in the tournament. McGinn acknowledged that the players are aware of the excitement and harbor their own aspirations of representing their country on the global stage.
"We've had the experience of going to major tournaments but I think going to a World Cup would eclipse that," McGinn said, highlighting the significance of the World Cup and the players' eagerness to participate.
McGinn also touched upon the emerging talent within the Scotland squad, noting the confidence and ability of the younger players. He emphasized the positive impact these youngsters have on the team, stating that they bring humor, unique characteristics, and skill, contributing to the overall improvement of the squad.
“The young boys are a lot different to when I was coming into the squad,” McGinn added. “They’re not as nervous any more. Football has changed and the boys are a lot more comfortable coming into the environment, which is good.”
With a blend of experienced players and promising youngsters, Scotland aims to build on their recent successes and make a strong push for World Cup qualification. The match against Belarus presents an opportunity to take a significant step towards realizing that goal, and the nation eagerly anticipates the contest.
He, like them, has "the dream of being on that plane [to North America] and making history" - but revealed the players do talk of next summer's tournament.