Scotlands

Even when inundated with kilted boys and girls, McGinn scarcely lets any annoyance be shown.

For at heart it is clear he remains as chuffed as anyone to be kicking about in Scotland kit. Even if it blows his cover at Tivoli Gardens.

That passion and relatability, along with his high-standard play, has made him a darling of the Tartan Army.

He, like them, has “the dream of being on that plane [to North America] and making history” and he revealed the players do talk of next summer’s tournament.

“Sometimes in little groups…” he explained. “You won’t speak about it too much in big groups.

“We’ve had the experience of going to major tournaments but I think going to a World Cup would eclipse that.

“The excitement’s there. Everyone wants to achieve their own personal dreams and we can only achieve that by being together and being stronger.”

For the first time in three decades, this is a Scotland squad who have major tournament experience.

Many of Clarke’s key men who qualified for Euro 2020 and/or 2024 are still pulling on the jersey, while those who have yet to have a taste are champing at the bit.

From Ben Gannon-Doak to Lennon Miller, and lately Kieron Bowie, the calls for youngsters to transition into first-team regulars have been growing from the stands – and McGinn is sure they are ready, should the nod come.

“The young boys are a lot different to when I was coming into the squad,” McGinn added.

“They’re not as nervous anymore. Football has changed and the boys are a lot more comfortable coming into the environment, which is good.

“They all bring their own humour, characteristics and ability to the group – they’re getting better and better and every time they come away you can see the improvement.

“That can only benefit us because we’re getting older and in the next few years those guys are going to have to take up the mantle and try and knock us off our perch.”

Friday’s performance showed there is still life in the auld dog yet, so McGinn will take some shifting.

Aug. 11 (UPI) — Scottish firefighters were battling a blaze that ignited on Arthur’s Seat, a extinct volcano in Edinburgh, officials said.

Local authorities said they were notified of the blaze at about 4 p.m. local time Sunday.

“Operations control mobilized four fire appliances and specialist resources to the area where firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting a large area of gorse,” the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement.

“There are no reported casualties at this time and crews remain at the scene.”

Videos of the fire shared online show smoke billowing from the mountain and a fire spreading near its crest.

The cause of the blaze was unknown.

Police in Edinburgh are advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.

“Please take care anyone in the vicinity of the Arthur’s Seat fire,” Chris Murray, a member of Parliament for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said on X.

Arthur’s Seat is about 823 feet above sea level and is a landmark within Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park, which is a short walk from the city’s historic downtown. According to Historic Environment Scotland, a climb to the top of the volcano gives a 360-degree view of Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Not only are Gordon, Kelly and Clark out at present, Robby McCrorie went down in the warm-up. It all likelihood, he’s the one who would have come on against Iceland.

With Gunn and McCrorie likely to be out of Monday’s friendly against Liechtenstein, too, and Slicker’s confidence through the floor, will Clarke turn to someone else?

“You have to find out what’s in the player’s mind as well, how he’s feeling about it,” former Scotland defender Willie Miller said of Slicker.

“What you’re looking for is honesty from him. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn’t want to?

“Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?”

McKenna, 18, has more senior experience than Slicker, but not by much. He played nine matches for Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship before signing for Bournemouth in 2024.

He’s been in their development squad since and has been with the Scotland group as a training player for the past week.

Given the lack of options, Clarke’s first phone call might be to Jon McLaughlin.

The two-time Scotland cap, 37, only played one FA Cup game for Swansea City last season and is now out of contract. But he was a squad regular, is experienced, and would likely be considered one of the safest options.

Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken was in Scotland squads during the season just gone, but was replaced between at Dens Park by Trevor Carson midway through the term.

Other Scotland-based options would be Scott Bain – recently released by Celtic – or Ross Doohan – recently signed by Celtic.

MK Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray has previously been called up by Clarke, too, but would appear to be a long way down the pecking order these days.