Former Hibs star ‘Super’ John McGinn is now only two behind the legendary Lawrie Reilly in the Scotland goal-scoring charts.
McGinn went into the international double header last month on 18-goals, then grabbed the winner at Hampden against Croatia before opening the scoring against Poland.
The two victories mean that Scotland now move on to a play-off in March to preserve their place in the A division of the Nations League.
McGinn’s strike in Warsaw saw him overtake former Rangers striker Ally McCoist making him his country’s fifth highest scorer , an incredible achievement for a midfielder.
Speaking after the final whistle he said: “Aye, it’s mad.
“My dad was over it again. He’s not one for emotional messages, but he sent a nice text to say it’s surreal seeing his boy in the top five of all-time scorers for Scotland, which is a bit mad.
“I’m sure I’ll wind up Ally McCoist the next time he’s commentating on a Villa game, but for us the most important thing was getting the win.
“We’ve been through a right rough spell, taking a lot of criticism, which has been deserved in the most part.
“Personally, long goal drought, club and country, but managed to get two in two and back on scoring form and back to winning ways for us.”
McGinn joined Hibs under Alan Stubbs in July 2015 and helped the club to their famous Scottish Cup win and promotion back to the top flight. During his three-years at Easter Road he played 136 times for Hibs, scoring 18-goals before a move to English Championship side Aston Villa in 2018 for a reported £2.75m.
He was an instant success south of the border and scored the winning goal in the play off final which secured promotion to the Premier League.
He is now captain of the team and a huge favourite at Villa Park.
McGinn received the first of his 73rd caps against Denmark in March 2016 and scored his first goal three years later against Russia in a Euro 2020 qualification match.
Reilly scored 22 times for Scotland including six goals in seven games against England.
After scoring a late goal against England at Wembley in 1953 he became known as “Last Minute Reilly”. He was inducted into the SFA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Denis Law both scored 30 international goals, and Hughie Gallacher scored 23 times.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
