John McGinn has moved within six goals of the all-time Scotland scoring record after a recent brace in a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia.
The Aston Villa midfielder now holds 24 international goals, placing him just behind the record of 30 currently shared by Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law, according to Yahoo Sports.
McGinn acknowledged the milestone following the match, noting that his personal progress is tied to the team’s collective success.
“It’s something that’s been in the back of my head,” McGinn admitted during a post-match debrief.
The 32-year-old player has now reached 94 appearances for his country, matching the tally of Hughie Gallacher.
His recent performance provided a boost for Scotland’s new head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, following a dry spell for the midfielder in 2025.
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin expressed confidence in McGinn’s ability to eventually overtake the long-standing record.
“I’d be surprised if John McGinn doesn’t get the goal record now,” Nevin stated on Sportsound.
Teammate Che Adams highlighted the midfielder’s character, describing him as the best person he has encountered in the sport.
“He’s not going to stop until he gets the record,” Adams said regarding his teammate’s dedication.
The recent match also saw Andy Robertson reach 102 caps, tying him with Dalglish as Scotland’s most-capped men’s player.
McGinn has increasingly taken on penalty duties, which may assist his pursuit of the scoring record in future fixtures.
Despite some recent criticism regarding his form, McGinn remains a central figure for the national team.
The midfielder has previously scored notable goals, including an overhead kick against Austria and a late winner against Croatia in 2024.
As he continues his career, McGinn’s status in Scottish football remains firmly established regardless of whether he breaks the record.
The team continues to look toward upcoming Nations League competitions as McGinn aims to further climb the scoring table.