What the Scottish media felt about Aston Villa star John McGinn’s performance vs Croatia

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John McGinn was among many Aston Villa’s who earned a national call-up during the break.

It’s been a testing period for the Aston Villa captain, who is normally one of the first names on the team sheet but since returning from his injury, he hasn’t played with the same intensity.

Unai Emery perhaps controversially left John McGinn out of the starting XI in the defeat to Liverpool, though the Scottish midfielder was introduced at half-time for the injured Jacob Ramsey.

McGinn’s role for the Scotland national is usually one of importance too, although for their Nations League clash against Croatia on Friday night, the 30-year-old started on the bench.

However, in typical McGinn fashion, he made Steve Clarke regret that decision after he made a telling impact from the bench.

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How the Scottish media rated John McGinn’s performance vs Croatia

It’s been a difficult Nations League campaign for Scotland, who are in a group with Portugal, Croatia and Poland.

Clarke’s men found themselves rooted to the bottom of the table on just a point and destined for relegation to League B however, McGinn’s goal late on against 10-men Croatia put them level on points with third-place Poland.

So, heading into their final game against the Poles, Scotland must win to finish in third and guarantee a spot in the relegation play-offs.

After coming off the bench to score the winner, the Aston Villa star drew praise from the Scottish media, with Football Scotland handing him an 8/10 rating and writing: “Further proof of just how important he is to this side. Not in the last camp, off the bench tonight, and scores the goal.”

The National also gave him an 8 and wrote: “The talisman is back. Popped up with the goal when the side needed him most. He’s been off-form in a Scotland shirt this year, but what an important moment.”

The Scotsman also agreed with that rating: “Back from injury, the Aston Villa man appeared for the final third of the match and pepped up the midfield. Showed excellent composure to steer home the opener as the ball bounced up in front of him. 8”

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McGinn’s goal carries huge importance

He only came off the bench in the 67th minute but that goal has huge importance for both club and country.

While it gives Scotland a fighting chance of finishing third with a win over Poland on Monday, it will also give McGinn some much-needed confidence before he returns to club football.

Emery will be hoping that his midfield machine returns to Bodymoor Heath with a clean bill of health and with a spring in his step.

As previously mentioned, McGinn hasn’t reached the same levels as pre-injury but the more football he plays, the more he’ll return to his best form.

Aston Villa host Crystal Palace in the first match after the break, and the Scotsman will be desperate to start.