John McGinn

Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia (UEFA Nations League Group Stages)

I was an England member for seven years (I just needed to point that out in case anyone thinks I’m a Scotland fan). I got to go to plenty of games including the 2020 Euros final v Italy (I was one of the few who actually paid for my tickets), but these days it seems I’m watching Scotland much more often than the Three Lions, which I don’t mind one bit.

There’s a reason, a lack of analysts north of the border has me in my central midlands location about one of the closest (willing) to travel to Glasgow, which means I get pretty much pick of Scotland (or Rangers & Celtic) games when I want them.

This one works for me, it’s on a Friday night and I’m hoping to tie it in nicely with covering Gateshead v Barrow on Saturday afternoon, but what I didn’t realise is that Glasgow to Newcastle isn’t exactly along my route back to Nottingham. I could have worked the weekends logistics a little better.

Not to worry about that now though, Scotland are hoping a win would put pressure on Switzerland and Slovenia in the race for UEFA Nations League B promotion.

North Macedonia haven’t scored a goal yet in their four games without a point in this competition, they lost 3-0 to the Swiss last time out and were beaten 2-0 in Skopje by Scotland before that, Kieron Bowie getting his first international goal before John McGinn settled things from the spot.

I don’t think anybody will be losing any sleep on the minor details of what potential victory tonight all means, more importantly the game is a test for new Scotland coach Sebastien Pocagnoli who is looking to improve on his early won 1, drew 1, lost 2 record since taking over the role from Steve Clarke in the summer.

As for North Macedonia, a country I’ve actually been to once, back in 2017 (when it was simply called Macedonia) then to watch Real Madrid play Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup final, from memory it was nice, full of huge statues. Ollie Murs was even there. I walked around the Old Bazaar of Skopje and also had drinks on a rather big wooden ship on the River Vardar before sodding off without paying. Cheap as anything, I would highly recommend a visit.

Eljif Elmas is probably North Macedonia’s best player, formerly of Napoli he now plays at Atalanta, whilst other familiar faces include Ezgjan Alioski formerly of Leeds and captain Enis Bardhi who has had spells in Turkey and Spain. Going back a bit further and before the breakup of Yugoslavia, Darko Pancev was probably the most famous soccer star from this land locked region? Although Mother Teresa may even trump the achievements of Pancev when it comes to celebrity status in the country?

Goce Sedloski is currently manager still looking for his first win in charge, a few elder Sheffield Wednesday fans might recognise the name? Whilst missing out on the squad this month is Rangers former Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski. A cult hero at Pittodree before moving to Ibrox via Girona.

I’ve started my long drive north after an hour’s dog walk in the cold frosty sunshine and after a picturesque drive over the A66 to Penrith and up through the Scottish lowlands I finally get to the lovely Annandale Services by mid afternoon. That’s the place I’ll be pitching up tonight. A quick bag drop and wash of the hands and I’m out the door of my hotel, up the M74 and towards Glasgow where the mighty Hampden sits unassuming at the foot of Mount Florida underneath now dark wet tea time skies lit up by street lamps and headlights from the rush hour traffic along the busy Aikenhead Road.

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The Venue

It’s a five minute or so walk from where I have parked my car on the Kings Park Avenue. I take the usual entrance to the stadium on the Kinghorn Drive and I’m excited to see some brand new lighting going up to the steps of the main doors, but as I get nearer the bright colours do start to blind my eyes somewhat.

I’m through the glass media doors and into the press lounge for a quick cardboard tray of chilli con carne and a coffee, I have a chinwag with a Chicago Bears fan who has spotted my new Green Bay Packers woolly hat and coat, then upstairs as the teams are announced, up to level 5 where I’m in with the commentators and Scotland team analysts, usual perch, high up, central, close to some posh seating where fans get access to the expensive corporate looking bars.

41,000 in tonight apparently, but that doesn’t include 41 North Macedonia fans who have also made the trip. Good work from them as it probably costs three months wages to be here, a few spotted in the corner to my left are waving their red and yellow flags between vast empty seats.

The Game

Like some folk have said about England and Croatia the night before, the atmosphere tonight is subdued, quiet, family orientated the Scottish anthem is sung unusually harmonious like that of a posh choir, not many belt out the Flower of Scotland with full aggressive throttle, more hum it respectfully and in tune like they would do at Hogmanay, I get the impression this game does not mean a great deal. Maybe we are all just a little overwhelmed by all this international football? Remember we are only just off the back of a three week window last month, and a summers biggest ever World Cup, of course.

The flat start suggests that the players are perhaps a little tired of it all too. North Macedonia sit predictably deep whilst Scotland get the ball out wide to the pacey and direct Ben Gannon-Doak who probes. He’s the best outlet on the right in the first half but Scotland don’t really trouble Dimitrievski too often. The Valencia goalkeeper does make a good early save from Scott McTominay who also later tries to reenact his famous Denmark overhead kick but not in gaining same end result, some oohs and aahs are heard as he goes up acrobatically but the ball sails high and wide.

It’s all Scotland without really penetrating the Lynxes defence, Che Adams has had a couple of half chances, but as the board goes up for an added minute in a dull first half, North Macedonia find themselves in Scottish territory. Porteous giving away a needless corner leads to some pressure and Elmas inventive shapes up to shoot before chipping a ball to Bardhi who strikes low and hard but agonisingly against the side netting.

 The Score

No sooner have folk sat down from their Scotch Pies at half time do Scotland have a guilt edged chance that goes begging. Che Adams who has worked really hard all night latching on to a bad back pass squares for Billy Gilmour with the goal gaping. The Napoli midfielder blazing over before falling to his knees head in hands.

That miss matters little though as John McGinn, as he always does, sorts things out. Adams again a nuisance battles with a defender and the ball breaks kindly for McGinn who’s darting run from midfield is rewarded, the Villa man is calm and collected on 54 as he finishes inside the box with composure.

You feel that goal will release the shackles but vulnerable having just scored, Scotland concede a corner immediately. Bardhi swings in from the left right footed, Elmin Rastoder gets his head to it and North Macedonia have their first competition goal.

That has the boos ringing around Hampden but they soon change to cheers again, probing away with patience Scotland get their chance when Gannon-Doak goes down under the keepers challenge who comes out with the ball. Play goes on but during a later stoppage the Referee is told to walk over to his monitor and reassess. None of it is clear as said Slovak Ref then decides to award a penalty kick. It looks harsh on the replay as the Referee explains his decision to the North Macedonia captain before pointing to the spot. John McGinn again takes responsibility, he steps up and goes third on the all-time list for international goals scored by a Scotsman.

That spot kick on 74 smashed down the middle is the edge Scotland need to take all three points. They are the better side. Not brilliant. But it’s been an efficient night’s work for Pocagnoli and his players, with some very solid performances and a win, above all to be happy about.

The Stars

John McGinn won the official man of the match and I often say, if his name was Julio Mcginnio that we would all be calling him ‘world class’. A model footballer who represents his nation (and his club side) in a way that only elite footballers do. A brilliant servant to the game, he always seems to come up with the goods, his tenacity and quality often setting him apart from others.

Scott McTominay is another in that ‘elite’ category who always looks a cut above but it wasn’t his best performance tonight, despite one or two good chances carved, whilst Andy Robertson is also worthy of a mention. He equalled the great Kenny Dalglish’s caps haul tonight with 102 National team appearances. He’s perhaps not the player he used to be but yet another proud football servant who represents his country to maximum elite levels.

What about the next gen? I was mightily impressed with Stoke City centre half Luke Graham, just 22, who played well in the centre of a back three, tall and composed, whilst Ben Gannon-Doak is a year below Graham at 21, raw, unfinished as a product, his touch at times letting him down, as does his decision making, but he’s quick, very quick, a constant threat and menace to opposition full backs who back off in knowing what to expect.

As for North Macedonia, a relatively solid performance collectively, they had good moments from Ljupche Doriev down the left whilst striker Rastoder proved a real handful wearing number nine. Nineteen year old midfielder Matej Gashtarov lasting 64 minutes. He’s highly rated and shown some neat touches, a player currently with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.

The Verdict

A win is a win, and a good night for Scotland was a great night for John McGinn, a great night for Andy Robertson who is just one away from being Scotland’s highest ever capped player.

Unfortunately the win wasn’t helped by Slovenia getting a draw with Switzerland which means matters are out of Scotland’s hands if they are to still get promotion to UEFA Nations League A. I doubt they’ll be losing too much sleep about that, just as I won’t, as I get my head down for another game tomorrow.

The Teams

Scotland: Angus Gunn, Ryan Porteous, Luke Graham, Kieran Tierney, Ben Gannon-Doak (Aaron Hickey 76), Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour (Ryan Christie 76), Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Che Adams (Oliver McBurnie 67).

North Macedonia: Stole Dimitrievski, Bojan Ilievski, Mario Mladenovski, Visar Musliu, Ezgjan Alioski, Matej Gashtarov (Agon Elezi 64), Eljif Elmas (Luka Stankovski 78), Darko Churlinov (Hristijan Maleski 64), Enis Bardhi, Ljupche Doriev (Boban Nikolov 84), Elmin Rastoder (Azer Omeragic 78).

7:45pm Kick Off. Friday 13th November 2026, Hampden Park, Glasgow (att 41,585).