Steve Clarke reveals Ally McCoist wind up as Rangers hero told 'John McGinn is coming for you'

He's got McGinn. And he couldn’t be happier about it.

Steve Clarke looked on from the sidelines as John McGinn bagged the 16th goal of his Scotland career on Saturday to become the seventh top scorer in his nation’s history. And unless the goals that have come so readily on the international stage to the Aston Villa midfielder inexplicably dry up, it surely won’t be too long before he’s in the top five.

Another two will see him equal Kenny Miller’s 18 while one of top of that will nudge him alongside Ally McCoist, then only Lawrie Reilly (22), Hughie Gallacher (23) and joint top scorers Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law (30) will have scored more for Scotland. McGinn’s 16 goals have all come in a four year period, every one of them notched on Clarke’s watch. It’s little wonder the manager’s face breaks into a grin when he is asked to consider the impact he has made and whether he believes the former St Mirren and Hibs player can become one of only five Scots to have scored at least 20 goals for his country.

“Yeah, it’s realistic,” Clarke said. “It’s realistic to think about catching the next one. Kenny Miller is the next one he catches and I was saying to Ally McCoist when I did the television, ‘he’s coming for you too!’ So it’s good. His contribution since I became head coach has been really good for the country.

“John enjoys the role we give him within the team. He enjoys being one of the talismen and leaders, so it’s great for everybody.”

At 28, McGinn has plenty of time to reach his goals and with 52 caps under belt he is now one of the more senior statesmen in Clarke’s squad. It’s a role his manager insists the player relishes.

“All the boys in their own way have enthusiasm,” he added. “John is probably a little bit more