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

In Skopje these past few days it’s been difficult to figure out the most devout people – the local followers of the city’s most sacred daughter, Mother Teresa, or the arriving Scots and their most cherished son, Saint John McGinn.

Faith in the blessed one is absolute (and the same goes for Teresa). Raise a critical note and you could be shot down in flames. Point out that McGinn’s talismanic excellence has been on the wane in international football for a little while now and you’re liable to reap a whirlwind.

This is a weekend when Andy Robertson wins his 100th cap, but McGinn isn’t far behind.

After Saturday night he’ll be on 92, third on the all-time appearance list while currently sitting in fifth in the all-time scoring chart, one behind the immortal Lawrie Reilly.

There is something to be said, though, and you say it with the hesitancy of a bomb disposal expert approaching a suspect device. For Scotland, McGinn could do with finding his best stuff again.

When he arrives to chat at the Todor Proeski Stadium in Skopje he is compelling when talking about his form, his confidence, his status as inspiration of the team and whatever pressure that comes with it.

“The nature of the beast is, at club and country, you have a lot of responsibility, a lot of weight on your shoulders,” he said. “When you do something well, you’re the best thing since sliced bread. When you don’t have a great couple of games, or you’re not producing assists, or you make a poor pass in a pivotal moment of the game, you’re automatically not good enough.

“It’s the nature of being my age (he’ll be 32 later in the month). It’s the nature of competing with Scotland and with Aston Villa. I take the praise with a big smile. Any criticism that comes, it’s just part of it.”

McGinn’s influence for his country has probably reduced from the mighty highs of before. None of the pride and passion and phenomenal work-rate has gone, but the game-defining moments have not been there, save for the odd glimpse.…Read more by Tom English