Scotland considers John McGinn's role ahead of Haiti match
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 12:02 PM
Last updated Jun 9, 2026
As Scotland prepares for its opening World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday, discussions arise about John McGinn's potential spot in the starting lineup. Former forward James McFadden questions whether McGinn, who played a key role in Aston Villa's success this season, might be benched after he started as a substitute in the final pre-tournament friendly against Bolivia, a 4-0 victory. McFadden notes the strong performances of other players and emphasizes that coach Steve Clarke faces a challenging decision regarding McGinn's inclusion. Fellow former player Callum Davidson argues that McGinn’s talents make him essential to the squad. The match against Haiti is set to take place this weekend, with lineups expected to be finalized soon.
- •Scotland faces Haiti in the World Cup on Saturday.
- •McGinn has been pivotal for Scotland and Aston Villa.
- •McGinn started as a substitute in the friendly win over Bolivia.
- •McFadden and Davidson express conflicting views on McGinn's role.
- •Team lineup decisions are critical for the tournament.
- 12:02 PMYahoo Sports — McGinn a certain starter for Scotland - Adam
- 11:10 AMYahoo Sports — Jack tips McGinn to replace Christie against Haiti
- 3:57 PMYahoo Sports — Might Scotland leave McGinn on bench against Haiti?
"John McGinn has been tipped to start in Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti in place of Ryan Christie by former international team-mate Ryan Jack. Aston Villa 31-year-old McGinn started on the bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, replacing his Bouremouth counterpart on the left of a midfield four after the break. "For me, John is going to play," Esenler Erokspor midfielder Jack, who was part of Steve Clarke's squad for the Euro 2024 finals, told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast.
"James McFadden feels guilty about suggesting it, but the former Scotland forward wonders whether John McGinn might find himself left out of the starting line-up in the opening World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday. McGinn has been pivotal not only for Scotland but in helping Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League and win the Europa League this season. "It is a nice problem for [head coach] Steve Clarke to have," McFadden said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound.
"Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam says John McGinn is "a certain starter" in the World Cup opener against Haiti. Aston Villa midfielder McGinn, 31, was left out of the starting line-up in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia, coming on as a second-half substitute. "John McGinn's a certain starter for me," Adam told BBC Radio Scotland.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 9, 2026, 12:02 PMMcGinn a certain starter for Scotland - Adam
Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam says John McGinn is "a certain starter" in the World Cup opener against Haiti. Aston Villa midfielder McGinn, 31, was left out of the starting line-up in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia, coming on as a second-half substitute. "John McGinn's a certain starter for me," Adam told BBC Radio Scotland.
- Yahoo SportsJun 8, 2026, 11:10 AMJack tips McGinn to replace Christie against Haiti
John McGinn has been tipped to start in Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti in place of Ryan Christie by former international team-mate Ryan Jack. Aston Villa 31-year-old McGinn started on the bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, replacing his Bouremouth counterpart on the left of a midfield four after the break. "For me, John is going to play," Esenler Erokspor midfielder Jack, who was part of Steve Clarke's squad for the Euro 2024 finals, told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast.
- Yahoo SportsJun 7, 2026, 3:57 PMMight Scotland leave McGinn on bench against Haiti?
James McFadden feels guilty about suggesting it, but the former Scotland forward wonders whether John McGinn might find himself left out of the starting line-up in the opening World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday. McGinn has been pivotal not only for Scotland but in helping Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League and win the Europa League this season. "It is a nice problem for [head coach] Steve Clarke to have," McFadden said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound.
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