John McGinn Sounds the Horn for Scotland Ahead of ‘Cup Final’ Against Denmark
John McGinn has made an impassioned plea to his fellow Scots: secure victory over Denmark next week in what he describes as their ‘cup final’ and clinch a coveted spot in the World Cup.
Scotland faced a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Greece on Saturday; however, Denmark’s inability to claim a win against Belarus has opened the door for an exhilarating showdown at Hampden Park this Tuesday. The Danes currently sit just a point ahead of Scotland in Group F, meaning a triumph for the Tartan Army would mark their first World Cup qualification since 1998.
Despite the setback in Greece, McGinn insisted that Scotland now has another chance to seize the moment. “The aim of tonight was to ensure we arrived at Tuesday with a cup final to play for. And, in some strange way, we’ve got that opportunity,” he told BBC Scotland.
“We can’t let this chance slip away.”
The match in Greece saw Scotland fall behind by three goals in a lackluster first half. Yet, the team showed resilience, with Ben Gannon Doak and Ryan Christie finding the net to narrow the deficit. According to McGinn, it’s crucial that Steve Clarke’s squad channels that late-game energy right from the start against Denmark.
“The manager highlighted that the final 20 to 30 minutes showcased the spirit we’ve developed over the past five or six years—character that has brought us success and qualified us for tournaments. Our play was direct, bold, and brimming with energy,” the Aston Villa captain reflected.
“It feels surreal to find relief in Denmark not winning, but it gives us this lifeline for a cup final on Tuesday night.
“While we showed improvement, we’re aware there’s still plenty to learn. It did puzzle me a bit that there were only four minutes added time, but expectations are different when playing away from home. We recognize the three goals we conceded were poor; however, the character we displayed in battling back to 3-2 was commendable.”
As Scotland prepares for this crucial clash, hope runs high amongst fans and players alike. A historic opportunity now lies in their hands, and the Tartan Army will be eager to make the most of it.
