By Ethan Barlow

John McGinn netted the opening goal in Warsaw and now has 20 goals for his country. Overtaking some of the nations great strikers, Kenny Miller (18) and Ally McCoist (19), this box-to-box midfielder has proven the catalyst for a successful Steve Clarke Scotland team.

With opening goals in back-to-back matches across the last international break of his ninth calendar year with the national team, McGinn is chasing a place on Scotland’s goal-scoring podium. Early to mid 1900’s forwards Lawrie Reilly and Hughie Gallacher lie two and three goals ahead of McGinn and in-between himself and, Scottish and English football icons, Kenny Dalglish and Dennis Law.

Scotland’s change in form seems to have matched the timeline of the talisman’s turn in form. McGinn’s late Hampden strike against Croatia marked his first goal in 12 matches and Scotland’s first triumph in nine. Captaining his side to a Champions League finish at club level, the former St Mirren and Hibs man cuts out a captain like figure alongside Andy Robertson.

“Steve Clarke’s man” will hope his poor Scotland days are behind him after an underwhelming Euro campaign in Germany and lacklustre performances either side of the Summer. McGinn embodies the Scottish person as well as the national team where if he is on his game, his teammates won’t be too far away.

McGinn’s goals didn’t just help Scotland’s possibility of League A survival but has helped Scotland have a fighting chance of being in Pot 2 for next month’s World Cup Qualifying draw. The Tartan Army will keep a keen eye on the final night of Nations League 2024 fixtures as a combination of results could see Clarke’s side drop into Pot 3.

In League B, Scotland will be supporting fellow Euro 2024 qualifying Group A team, Georgia. If the Georgians can avoid defeat against Czechia in Olomouc, Scotland will be land in Pot 2.

Alternatively, in League C, if Estonia can avoid defeat against Slovakia in Trnava, the same will apply. If both Czechia and Slovakia win, Scotland will fall into Pot 3.