John McGinn plots Ally McCoist wind up 'every time I see him' after overtaking Rangers hero on Scotland scoring charts

It started by being controversially benched by Steve Clarke. And ended with overtaking Ally McCoist in the Scotland scoring charts.

In between times he played his part in two brilliant victories for the national team. It’s fair to say it’s been an eventful international break for John McGinn. But all the Tartan Army cares about is the smile is back on their talisman’s face – and he’s been using that famous backside to good effect again. All of which meant McGinn was in a good mood as he flew back from Warsaw this week.

He’d just bagged his 20th Scotland goal, jumping above legendary striker McCoist into the all-time top five. He said: “That’s just mental. The next time I see Ally I’m going to wind him up. It’s mad. I never thought I’d do that. In my first 15 caps I had no goals so to be in that position now is amazing.”

No doubt McCoist will have a wisecrack for the Aston Villa skipper. But in all seriousness, it meant the world to McGinn – and his dad Stephen as well. After Scotland’s sensational 2-1 victory over the Poles on Monday night, he was the first one on the phone to McGinn. The 30-year-old had gone 12 months without a goal for his country then notched two in a row against Croatia and Poland.

McGinn said: “I couldn’t kick my own backside for a year when it came to goals and now I’ve got two in two games. It’s been brilliant to see Ben Doak come in and offer us something different, that bit of pace.

“Everyone talks about his speed but against Poland he had the composure to see me three minutes into the game and deliver a great cutback. He’s been a breath of fresh air. Do I expect a text now from Ally? I don’t know but he was amazing for Scotland.

“So to be close to him is surreal. My dad sent me a message after