HIBERNAN manager Neil Lennon last night called for Gordon Strachan to start John McGinn for Scotland in Thursday’s vital World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
McGinn scored two sensational goals in his side’s 2-2 draw with Celtic in a second-half performance described as “perfect” by his manager.
Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong, who would have both began at Hampden, are out and McGinn must have played his way into contention for Strachan’s XI.
Asked about McGinn, Lennon said: “He's ready. He has played on the big stage out there and he's ready. Gordon has shown a lot of faith in him and he's justifying that faith and the other boy's not bad [Callum McGregor]. He could get a call-up and wouldn't look out of place in that Scotland team either.”
McGinn himself believes he would be up to task should Strachan select him.
“I feel ready for it, if called upon. The Scotland manager knows what I can do - I think he trusts me and I believe in myself as well.
"The number of times I've been there I've managed to acquit myself well so it's up to myself to get my head down and try to put myself in contention.
"It [Scotland] was in the back of my mind. There's been two big loses for us but we've got plenty of cover in the squad. There are a lot of top midfield players in there. All I've got to do now is train well this week and put myself in the manager's thoughts."
Celtic’s McGregor got a double of his own in what was a fantastic match at Parkhead, a result which took the champions unbeaten domestic run to 58 games.
McGregor was surprisingly omitted from the squad, but his manager believes he is ideal for such a big game.
“I have said before about where I think the boy is at with his ability,” said Brendan Rodgers. "He is a wonderful player, he can keep the ball, he is getting big game experiences. He’s an international player."
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