John McGinn revealed he was “petrified” of lacking the World Cup with Scotland after struggling a knee damage in January.
The midfielder was compelled off within the first half of Aston Villa’s defeat to Everton, although he prevented any long-term issues as he made his return to motion earlier this month within the Europa League.
The Villa captain scored in back-to-back video games in opposition to Lille and West Ham earlier than the worldwide break, the place he began for Scotland of their 1-0 defeat to Japan.
Scotland face Ivory Coast on Tuesday as they put together to finish their 28-year wait to play on the World Cup finals this summer season.
Steve Clarke’s facet will tackle Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in one of many harder teams on the match hosted by america, Canada and Mexico.
MD-1 at @BarclaysHampden #CIVSCO pic.twitter.com/mgvd1pJXdH
— Scotland Nationwide Staff (@ScotlandNT) March 30, 2026
Forward of Scotland’s pleasant in opposition to Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium, McGinn revealed his preliminary feelings after his knee damage in January.
“I used to be scared,” McGinn informed BBC Scotland. “I keep in mind immediately feeling, oh this isn’t proper.
“It was 10, quarter-hour into the sport, I blocked a move in opposition to Everton and I knew immediately, so my hand goes up and clearly I’ve identified skilled gamers who’ve performed severe knee accidents six months plus feeling in a position to stroll off.
“I used to be petrified actually, however then you definitely get the scan and also you wait and fortunately it was excellent news that it was solely a minor knee damage.
“The knee clearly reacts in several methods to surgical procedure, but it surely might have been so much, lot worse. It was anticipated to be six to eight weeks. Managed to come back again in six weeks.”
