John McGinn thought Scotland were about to throw it all away once again – but the Aston Villa star was happy to be proven very wrong.
McGinn was a key man once again as the Aston Villa midfielder helped Scotland to a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Serbia, following a 1-1 draw in Belgrade after 120 minutes.
Steve Clarke’s side had dominated the match up until the 89th minute, when Luka Jovic nodded home a late leveler to take this match to extra-time. Having not qualified for a major tournament since 1998, McGinn feared the worst.
Aston Villa’s battler thought it was going to be a case of Deja Vu, Scotland falling at the final hurdle. It was new-found joy for Scotland as they won the penalty kicks under intense pressure.
After so much disappointment around the international team for over 20 years, McGinn is happy it’s all behind them now.
“We’ve been battered from pillar to post, sometimes deservedly so,” said McGinn (Sky Sports). “But there was just a feeling, the first half, even though we were underdogs we played Serbia off the park.
“Maybe just towards the end we tired a little bit, when the goal went in I was sat on the side, up in the stand thinking, ‘typical Scotland ‘.
“I just thought that was us done. But the lads on the pitch, the lads that came on showed unbelievable character. Davie Marshall came up the save, and we’re going to the Euros.”