Too quiet for too long, can McGinn recapture best for Scotland?

What the report says

BBC Sport Football says John McGinn is approaching major Scotland milestones, with the midfielder on 91 caps and fifth on the national team’s all-time scoring list, while also closing in on 100 appearances for his country. The piece, published from Skopje before Scotland’s match against North Macedonia, argues that McGinn’s recent impact for Scotland has been quieter than at his peak, even though his work rate, leadership and popularity remain intact.

In comments to BBC Scotland’s Tom English, McGinn said form at club and international level naturally brings praise and criticism, and that he does not see himself as undroppable. He said he would accept any role the manager asked him to play, reflecting the competition within Steve Clarke’s squad. The article notes that his last Scotland goal before the Haiti World Cup match had come close to two years earlier, though it says a return to decisive moments would be welcome.

The report also places McGinn’s Scotland career alongside his status at Aston Villa, where he is described as a central figure in the club’s rise in recent seasons. BBC Sport frames him as a player whose reputation is built on consistency, humility and loyalty, with supporters valuing him as a leader and long-term servant. More broadly, the piece suggests Scotland may still depend on McGinn for big moments as the team pursues important results in the current campaign.