Excitement is there for World Cup dream - McGinn

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A small number of Scots in Copenhagen commemorated Friday's draw with Denmark by simply enjoying "a bit of food and bed," which is exactly what John McGinn and his teammates from Scotland chose to do.

Following a dominant display, the Aston Villa captain led Steve Clarke's squad to secure an away point against the top seeds in Group C, ensuring they had a restful night.

The same cannot be said for the many fans of the Tartan Army, who celebrated one of McGinn's standout performances in the national team jersey in recent years with a few drinks.

Attention now quickly shifts to Monday's encounter against Belarus in Hungary, where no supporters will be allowed to attend.

A win for Scotland against the fourth-seeded team would signal a very encouraging start to a brief campaign. Already, both bettors and analysts are discussing the potential for next summer's tournament in North America, but do the players share that excitement?

Here, McGinn offered insight into that matter, putting aside the PlayStation to discuss the prospects of the younger players.

The interview was slightly delayed due to the team's flight from Copenhagen to Hevis-Balaton airport being postponed, which afforded them a rare chance for some sightseeing.

Those who didn't play against Denmark trained on Saturday, while others took the time to recover before going out to explore the city.

The ever-enthusiastic McGinn, 30, expressed that his energy levels tend to fluctuate: "Sometimes it goes up, then it drops, and then it peaks again," as he recounted his experiences in the streets of the Danish capital.

Considering it was nearly midnight when Scotland departed from Parken Stadium, it's no surprise that most opted for the 'home, teeth, bed' routine.

This was especially true for McGinn, who was brimming with energetic purpose, calling it a "brilliant team performance."

His days of gaming on the PlayStation are behind him as he matures into one of the more seasoned members of the squad.

"Everyone has their own way of handling downtime, whether it’s spending time together, relaxing, or catching some sleep," McGinn shared with Sport Scotland.

"I used to be all about the PlayStation, but not anymore.

"We did go for a stroll in Copenhagen, but there were still plenty of Tartan Army fans around, so there’s only so many selfies one can take."

Even when surrounded by enthusiastic fans in kilts, McGinn rarely shows any irritation.

At his core, it’s evident he takes great pleasure in representing Scotland. Even if it draws attention to him at Tivoli Gardens.

That passion and ability to connect with fans, alongside his high-quality play, have made him a beloved figure among the Tartan Army.

He shares with them "the dream of being on that plane [to North America] and making history" - and he confirmed that the players do discuss next summer's tournament.

"Sometimes it comes up in smaller groups..." he clarified. "It's not something that gets talked about too much in larger gatherings.

"We've experienced major tournaments before, but attending a World Cup would be an entirely different achievement."

The thrill is present. Everyone aspires to fulfill their individual ambitions, and this can only be realized through unity and greater strength.

For the first time in thirty years, Scotland boasts a team that possesses substantial tournament experience.

Numerous key players from the Euro 2020 and/or 2024 qualifiers continue to don the national jersey, while those who are yet to experience it are eagerly awaiting their chance.

With young talents such as Ben Gannon-Doak, Lennon Miller, and more recently Kieron Bowie, the demand for youngsters to step into more permanent roles has been increasingly echoed from the crowd - and McGinn is confident they are prepared, should the opportunity arise.

"The younger players are quite different compared to my arrival in the squad," McGinn remarked.

"They seem less anxious nowadays. The landscape of football has evolved, and the younger lads are much more at ease when entering the squad, which is a positive sign.

"They each contribute their own humor, traits, and skills to the team - they are continuously improving, and each training camp highlights their progress.

"This is beneficial for us as we age, and in the coming years, those young talents will need to step up and challenge our positions."

However, Friday's performance demonstrated that the veteran still has plenty to offer, meaning McGinn won't be easily displaced.