Euro 2020: John McGinn insists Scotland have nothing to fear against England

John McGinn insists Scotland have nothing to fear against England and can cause them ‘a lot of problems’ in their Euro 2020 clash at Wembley… as he also admits his shock that Gareth Southgate left Aston Villa team-mate Jack Grealish out against Croatia


Scotland’s John McGinn says the gap between his side and England is not as ‘humungous’ as is often made out, and has warned they have a few superstars of their own.

The Aston Villa midfielder was in a bullish mood ahead of Friday’s game at Wembley, despite Monday’s 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic at Hampden Park.

‘We compete against these guys week in, week out in the Premier League,’ said McGinn of his English counterparts. ‘It’s about passing that message on to the guys based in Scotland, that we can more than compete.

John McGinn says the gap between Scotland and England is not as ‘humungous’ as made out

The Scots take on England at Wembley on Friday night after losing to the Czech Republic

The Scots take on England at Wembley on Friday night after losing to the Czech Republic

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‘They’re an excellent team, but if we play to our capabilities we will cause England a lot of problems.

‘They’ve got strength in depth, but for the first time in a long time so have we. It’s about focusing on us and giving England something to think about. We will not be fazed going down there, not one bit.

‘When I looked at the record between Scotland and England, I was surprised at how tight the results were.

‘The English media would have you believe that the gap is humungous. They’ve got world superstars throughout their squad, but we’ve got a few wee superstars in our team as well. It’s up to us to prove that. The game can’t come quick enough.’

McGinn was surprised to see club team-mate Jack Grealish left on the bench against Croatia

McGinn was surprised to see club team-mate Jack Grealish left on the bench against Croatia

He also says Kieran Tierney is doing everything he can to prove his fitness ahead of the game

He also says Kieran Tierney is doing everything he can to prove his fitness ahead of the game

McGinn was surprised to see club-mate Jack Grealish remain on the bench during England’s 1-0 win over Croatia.

‘If I was England boss, I would pick him,’ he said. ‘I know what he’s capable of, but I’m not the England manager and he decides the team.

‘Jack’s one of the best players in the country, if not Europe. I just hope he doesn’t play on Friday, because I know how good he is and what he can bring to the England team.’

Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney — absent on Monday with a calf problem — says he is doing everything he can to prove his fitness ahead of the game.

‘Me wearing a pair of tights shows you that — when else do I wear tights?’ said the Arsenal defender. ‘It’s just so unlucky because I worked so hard to get back from my knee injury. I came back quickly from that, played a few games. I don’t know if those games caught up with me and I just got a wee niggle. That’s all it is, just a niggle. It’s touch and go.’