Scotland’s John McGinn says his “scuffed” goal which downed Haiti in their World Cup opener left him “beaming with pride” – and he hopes kids around the country wake up feeling exactly the same way.
The Aston Villa midfielder’s deflected effort in the first half gave Scotland their first World Cup win since 1990 at their first finals since 1998.
They sit top of Group C as they aim to reach the knockout stages for the first time ever, despite a nervy second half during which Haiti threatened to equalise.
“It wasn’t my best of goals but who cares? It’s been a long time coming,” McGinn told BBC Sport. “I scuffed it a wee bit.
“Haiti are a decent team by the way. We had to work hard for it. Could we play a bit better? Aye. But it was a must-win game and we won. I’m absolutely over the moon.”
Scotland still have to face Morocco and Brazil – two sides with the potential to go far at the World Cup – on Friday 19 June and Wednesday 24 June respectively.
Steve Clarke and his side know they will need to improve, but McGinn says they will relish this victory on their return to football’s biggest stage.
“We’ve been through a lot of hurt as a country,” he said.
“A generation of supporters haven’t seen this. But the pride on my face this morning seeing all the kids going to the parks in a Scotland kit and painting their faces.
“Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they’ll be beaming with pride because I am. It sets things up for Friday [against Morocco].”