John McGinn scores twice as Scotland edge past North Macedonia

John McGinn’s double got Sebastien Pocognoli off the mark and off the hook in a 2-1 victory over Group B1 makeweights North Macedonia at Barclays Hampden.

Visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski denied the Scots three times in a goalless first half and Billy Gilmour missed an open goal from eight yards before fellow midfielder McGinn broke down the North Macedonia rearguard in the 54th minute – only for the limited visitors to level through striker Elmin Rastoder three minutes later.

However, the Aston Villa playmaker scored from the spot in the 73rd minute to give Pocognoli his first home win as Scotland head coach.

Captain Andy Robertson equalled Sir Kenny Dalglish’s 102-cap record and will beat it away to Switzerland on Monday while by taking his international goal tally to 24, McGinn joined Hughie Gallacher as joint-third on the all-time Scotland list.

Scotland moved on to seven points from five fixtures, one point behind second-placed Slovenia who drew 0-0 at home to Group B1 winners Switzerland, but the aim of the runners-up place which brings a promotion play-off spot and a more favourable seeding for the 2028 European Championship qualifiers, is tough.

The Scots play the dominants Swiss in St Gallen while Slovenia will be odds-on to take care of North Macedonia, who, with no points from five games, will finish bottom of the table.

There was a new-look to Pocognoli’s defence.

Stoke centre-back Luke Graham made his first Scotland start, while late call-up Ryan Porteous returned alongside him, with Kieran Tierney making up the back three.

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay was in Pocognoli’s squad and team for the first time following a heart issue, while Torino striker Che Adams also started after missing the last camp.

It was a slow start and in the 16th minute Dimitrievski turned a shot from McTominay behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Tierney headed a Robertson free-kick over the crossbar before Adams’ deflected header from a McGinn corner forced a terrific reaction save from Dimitrievski at his near post.

In the 34th minute, McTominay tried to replicate his stunning overhead-kick goal against Denmark in the clinching World Cup qualifier last year, but this time his effort from 12 yards flew high over the bar.

As Scotland pressed with more purpose, Adams played in McTominay but he drove straight at Dimitrievski and the danger was cleared but just before the break, a rare North Macedonia attack ended with captain Enis Bardhi shooting into the side-netting.

There was less than a minute played in the second half when Adams cut the ball back and although McTominay failed to connect, it sped to Gilmour who somehow, with the net empty, lifted his shot over to widespread astonishment.

Graham then headed a Lewis Ferguson corner past the post from inside a packed penalty area but when the ball broke for McGinn from Adams’ battle with the North Macedonia defence, the former St Mirren and Hibernian midfielder left Dimitrievski no chance with his confident finish.

However, when Rastoder got in front of McTominay to head in Bardhi’s corner just three minutes later – North Macedonia’s first goal this year – the complexion of the game changed again.

Oli McBurnie replaced Adams and soon set up wing-back Ben Gannon-Doak who was challenged and dispossessed by Dimitrievski.

Initially play went on but Slovakian referee Michal Ocensas was asked by his VAR to check for a possible penalty and eventually pointed to the spot.

McGinn sent the keeper the wrong way and Pocognoli got his coveted home win at the third time of asking.