John McGinn reveals his favourite Scotland moment as Tartan Army hero gets set to join 50 cap club

John McGinn will earn his 50th cap for Scotland at Hampden on Saturday and has his eyes on reaching the magical 100 before he hangs up his boots.

But even if he joins Kenny Dalglish in that most exclusive of clubs, the Aston Villa midfielder insists nothing will beat the 13 minutes he spent on the international stage with his big brother Paul. McGinn visibly swells with pride as he recalls that night in September last year in Vienna, Scotland leading Austria 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier, when Paul came off the bench to replace Stephen O’Donnell in the 77th minute.

And as he prepares to hit the half century, the man who will wear the armband against the Republic of Ireland, is adamant nothing will beat that moment. He said: “I have one clear memory and it’s the Austria game away when Paul came on. No matter how many caps I will be able to get, no matter how many goals I score, playing for your country with your brother is something that is unrivalled.

“That night, we knew that it might only have been one. He was brilliant that night, but we knew it might only be one and it might be the only opportunity for that to happen. Qualifying for the Euros is certainly up there, but if I had to choose a moment that stands out, it would be playing with Paul against Austria.”

The 27-year-old admits he still pinches himself at the thought of becoming such a mainstay of the Scotland squad - particularly as he feared he’d blown his chance at the very first international training session he took part in before making his debut against Denmark in 2016. “One would have been enough for me,” he smiles. ”I never ever thought I would play one game for the national team. To be approaching 50 is beyond my wildest dreams.

“It will be an