Jubilant John McGinn made it five goals in five games with the winner against Cyprus – then claimed he’d need to be on CRUTCHES not to turn up for Scotland.
The Aston Villa midfielder and Celtic’s Ryan Christie netted in Nicosia to win a Euro 2020 qualifier hit by pre-match call-offs.
Boss Steve Clarke was without several top stars but McGinn insists it would take something serious to prevent him from
turning out for his country.
He said: “Every player and club is different. I can only speak from my own experience but I’m sure my manager, Dean Smith, would tell you I’d have to be on crutches not to come away with Scotland.
“I always try to make myself available. I think I’ve had to pull out of training once.”
Clarke was without McGinn’s crocked Premier League rivals Ryan Fraser, Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay for the final Group I away game.
McGinn hit the winner after Christie’s early opener was cancelled out as the Scots now get set to finish their group games with Tuesday’s Hampden clash with Kazakhstan.
Villa’s former Hibs man added: “I’m sure the lads have their reasons, whether it’s through injury or other things.
“I can only focus on myself and my club manager is very comfortable with me going away to play for Scotland. He knows my stance on it. That’s a point I made clear to Aston Villa when I signed.
“Sometimes clubs want you wrapped in cotton wool. But if the manager ever got called up for England as a player, he’d have been the first there.
“He’s always open to me going away, it’s never a problem at my end.
“I don’t know if that’s the same with other players, I don’t get involved in that. But I’d hope it wasn’t.
“As a young player you dream of representing your country. I was lucky enough to go and watch Scotland games as a kid.
“I’m passionate about it. The boys down in England give me stick because they’re tired of me trying to boost Scottish football.
“But there’s nobody as desperate to succeed for Scotland than me. Every time I’m called up it’s a privilege and honour.”
