Aston Villa captain John McGinn has openly admitted to visualising Scotland's long-awaited return to the World Cup stage as his nation stands on the brink of qualification for next summer's global tournament.
The Power of Positive Thinking
Speaking from Scotland's training camp in Turkey, the influential midfielder revealed he's actively using manifestation techniques to help secure Scotland's first World Cup appearance since 1998. "You'd be lying if you said you didn't think about it," McGinn confessed in an interview with the Scottish Football Association.
The 30-year-old explained how he's drawing upon previous successful qualification campaigns, stating: "You see teams qualifying, you remember the feeling of qualifying for two European Championships and just think about every celebration times two." He emphasised his belief in visualising success, adding: "I allow myself to think about it because why not manifest it and just see if you can put yourself in that position."
Crucial Qualifying Double-Header
Scotland's path to the World Cup hinges on their upcoming two matches. Steve Clarke's side will secure their place at next summer's tournament if they avoid defeat against Greece in Piraeus on Saturday evening, followed by a victory over Denmark at Hampden Park next Tuesday.
McGinn revealed his specific pre-match ritual for these crucial encounters: "Standing in the tunnel on Saturday and on Tuesday, I'll make sure I'll take my mind to the Tartan Army in America, Mexico or Canada." This mental preparation forms part of his strategy to handle the immense pressure of the qualification climax.
Embracing the Challenge Ahead
Despite his positive visualisation, McGinn remains fully aware of the difficulties awaiting his team in Greece. The Scots secured a 1-0 Nations League victory in Piraeus back in March, but McGinn anticipates a stern test this time around.
"We know it's going to be so difficult," he acknowledged. "Greece will feel like they owe us one. We need to go there and put in a similar performance to what we did when we won there last time out."
The Villa star emphasised that suffering would be necessary to achieve their World Cup dream: "We're going to have to suffer, we know that. We're going to have to defend, we're going to have to put our bodies on the line. But if you want to play in a World Cup, if you want to play on the biggest stage, you need to suffer at times and feel that."
McGinn expressed confidence in Scotland's position, noting that most of the squad and the nation would have gladly accepted this scenario at the campaign's start. With the entire country behind them, McGinn and his teammates now face their most significant international challenge in nearly three decades.
