John McGinn admits Scotland must improve if they want to reach the Euros – and reckons the dodgy Hampden pitch needs to be much better too.
The Tartan Army hero volleyed home his 16th goal for the national team in the 3-0 win over Cyprus to move outright seventh in the all-time scoring records.
His 21st-minute strike eased the nerves as Scotland won an opening Euro qualifying match for the first time since 2006. But McGinn took aim at the National Stadium playing surface after a low-key second half combined with a number of players slipping led to frustration spreading through the capacity 50,000 crowd before two late Scott McTominay goals secured the points.
McGinn reckons the pitch was as much to blame as the players for the under-par showing. The Hampden surface was slated by Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and his Rangers counterpart Michael Beale after January’s Viaplay Cup semis – leading to work to improve the surface for the final.