Aston Villa ace John McGinn is paying tribute to Scott McTominay with Manchester United’s Premier League hero in outstanding goalscoring form for Scotland.
Steve Clarke has quite the track record when it comes to turning energetic, box-to-box midfielders into almost Paul Scholes-esque box-crashers.
John McGinn has been prolific under the Scotland boss. And, with six goals in his last six international appearances, Clarke is coaxing career-best performances out of Manchester United’s Scott McTominay too, the man who scored both goals in that famous 2-0 win over Spain looking to repeat the trick tonight with a spot in next summer’s European Championship up for grabs.
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay in top Scotland form
“Steve Clarke came in and pushed me higher up. He obviously noticed something in my game that he felt could help the team. And he has echoed that with Scotty,” Aston Villa captain McGinn tells the Daily Mail.
“He has pushed him higher up. The credit I will give the gaffer, Villa have copied that with me, and (Erik) Ten Hag has copied him as well.”
McGinn’s final point may not be entirely accurate. But it’s telling that, when United needed not one but two goals against Brentford last weekend, Ten Hag turned to McTominay. The Dutchman’s faith rewarded with a stunning stoppage-time brace, United turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead between minutes 93 and 97.
What’s more, McTominay’s extraordinary performances in Scotland colours only add flesh to the bones of an argument suggesting that he is being mis-used at Manchester United.
Ten Hag could maybe do a lot worse an take a leaf out of Steve Clarke’s book. McTominay’s instincts, movement and technique inside the penalty area creating the impression that his talents are being wasted in a deeper role.
Six goals in six Scotland games
“He is so athletic,” McGinn adds. “He gets in the box and hits the ball harder than anyone I have ever played with.
“So it’s no surprise he is getting goals.”
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