John McGinn is confident Scotland can defy the odds and secure automatic qualification for the World Cup by finishing top of their group.
Steve Clarke’s side clinched a play-off spot on Sunday despite a nervy and unconvincing display in a 2-1 win over Belarus at Hampden.
With Denmark then beating Greece in the evening kick-off, the results mean that the Greeks have been knocked out of contention.
Scotland sit level on points with Denmark at the top of the section ahead of next month’s final double-header which sees them travel to Athens before hosting the Danes in a potential Hampden shootout.
It is all teed up to be a thrilling finale — and McGinn insists the Scots have no intention of just falling back on the insurance policy of a play-off spot.
‘If you’d said to us at the start of the group you could be going into the last two games knowing two wins would take you to a World Cup, it’s an opportunity that you dream about,’ said the Aston Villa midfielder.
McGinn admitted the performance against Belarus wasn’t good and squad must learn from it
McGinn was the most effective home player as his tenacious attitude helped his side prevail
Scott McTominay’s critical second goal came after determined work from McGinn on the wing
‘We’re not naive enough to think this camp was good enough, we’ve clearly not been anywhere near our best. We can’t be any worse than we’ve been over these two games.
‘But it’s about us finding that form again, everyone staying fit and healthy for the next camp and getting over the line.
‘Our full thoughts have got to go towards finishing top of the group. We’re capable, we’re in an unbelievable position.
‘At the minute, everyone will probably laugh at it [chances of winning both games next month]. But this group’s capable, and when you think we’re at our worst moment, we sometimes pop up with a huge performance and result.
‘So two wins gets us there. Our full focus is on finishing first in this group and getting to the World Cup.
‘I don’t think Denmark will look forward to coming here, the last time we played them here was our best performance as a group [2-0 win in 2021].
‘Greece away was a good performance as well [1-0 win earlier this year]. We know in the dressing room that two wins gets us there, and that’s what we’re focusing on.’
Clarke was highly critical of his team’s performance against Belarus on Sunday night, admitting that it was nowhere near good enough.
McGinn found the going tough against an opponent many observers had written off pre-match
That followed on from another poor display against Greece, albeit Scotland produced a late smash-and-grab to win 3-1 last week.
McGinn revealed that the manager gave the players a stern talking to at half-time on Sunday, with the message being clear that performances need to improve.
‘At half-time, he gave us a shellacking, but it was deserved, it’s part of it,’ admitted McGinn. ‘In 72 games [in Clarke’s tenure], that was probably as wild as I’ve seen him.
‘We had a bit of a reaction at the start of the second half, but it was just miles away from what we know we’re capable of, and that’s the disappointing thing.
‘But it’s a big three points and a massive step towards another major tournament.
‘It’s a strange feeling, I think everyone feels the same. Two massive results but obviously disappointing performances.
‘It’s important to get the balance right — we’re not naive enough to think it was good enough on the pitch. But when you look at the group, it’s incredibly exciting and we know we need to improve next month.
Scotland were grateful for the VAR decision to rule out Evgeni Malashevich’s second-half goal
‘We have to go away, look at it as a group and realise what’s gone wrong. A lot has gone wrong, but we need to get the balance right.
‘It’s two massive wins, we’re not getting carried away with them, there’s a lot to improve.
‘We’ve gone up against two really good teams. Greece were miles better than us the other night but we managed to dig a win out.
‘Belarus was slightly different, but we’re all experienced, all man enough to take the praise when it comes, take the criticism when it comes.
‘You’ve just got to puff your chest out, go back again next month, and be a lot better on and off the ball.
‘We know it, but when you reflect, it’s important not to be too down.
‘You look at the group: 10 points, unbeaten after four games, and probably the best chance we’ve had in maybe 20 years to qualify for a World Cup.
‘It’s an unbelievable opportunity for us but we need to give absolutely everything and perform far better than in these two games.’
