John McGinn coolly defused a diplomatic row on Monday as Norwegian officials continued to seethe over Steve Clarke's decision to call off a behind-closed-doors training game. The Norway head coach Stale Solbakken had branded the Scotland manager “unprofessional”, while team manager Brede Hangeland whinged of “embarrassing” and “weak” behaviour. But when three Norwegian reporters fetched up at Scotland’s palatial base camp in Charlotte seeking retaliation, they were met with a smiling McGinn who barely broke stride.
“I would say 75% of the [Scotland] squad haven't seen it,” he said of the Norwegian anger. “I did see it. Our job is to look after Scotland. Norway's job is to look after Norway. And if they've done their research, we lost a very important part of the squad [in Billy Gilmour] very, very close to this camp.” Clarke cancelled the match citing injury concerns, a decision McGinn defended as professional. “We had a few niggles, not everyone's been training. So I think it's a professional way of handling things, to be perfectly honest, and look after number one. I'm sure every single country will be doing the exact same. If Norway lost Erling Haaland or Martin Odegaard in one of the games leading up to Saturday, they would cancel the game as well.”
“John McGinn coolly dismissed Norway's anger over a cancelled friendly, defending Scotland's 'professional' decision after losing Billy Gilmour to injury.”
The midfielder, who has scored 20 goals in 86 Scotland caps, was speaking on day one of the squad’s World Cup build-up in Charlotte. He also reflected on the 25ft mural painted in his honour on the side of a house in his hometown Clydebank – the third such tribute after Scott McTominay’s overhead kick against Denmark and Andy Robertson’s homage in Liverpool. “It's a bit strange, but obviously it filled me with pride to see it,” McGinn said.
With Scotland preparing for their World Cup opener, McGinn’s poise in front of the media mirrored his form on the pitch. If they hit the mark in their upcoming matches the way he does with a microphone, this could be a special tournament for Steve Clarke’s side.