John McGinn scored twice to give Scotland a Nations League win over North Macedonia, but the Aston Villa captain's first thought at full-time was for team-mate Billy Gilmour, who had missed an open goal earlier in the match.
McGinn's brace moved him to joint-third on Scotland's all-time scoring list with 24 goals, alongside Hughie Gallacher. His second goal, a penalty, proved to be the winner after North Macedonia had scored their first goal in a year.
McGinn's Priority Was Lifting Gilmour
Despite the personal landmark and a brace that included a clinical finish and a well-taken penalty, McGinn made a beeline for Gilmour at full-time. The Napoli midfielder was crestfallen after shooting over the bar from eight yards out with an open goal at his mercy, at the same end as Chris Iwelumo's infamous miss in 2008.
McGinn, Scotland's vice-captain, told Gilmour he had experienced worse moments in front of goal. Reflecting on the win, McGinn said: "To be fair, I said to Billy going off the pitch - I've had at least four WORSE than that! But I knew how he was feeling.
"There's nothing worse. He knows it himself but it's just one of these things that happens. We're all human and I reminded him there's a couple I've had in a Scotland jersey."
Penalty Duty and Manager's Style
McGinn also revealed a chat with Scott McTominay about penalty duty. He said: "I was the designated penalty taker but I don't think he's missed one in his career. So we chatted and both said the most important thing was just that, no matter who took it, they had to hit the back of the net! We were both confident and I think their keeper watched my penalty from last weekend (v Manchester United)."
McGinn's goals dug manager Sebastien Pocognoli out of a hole after Gilmour's miss. Scotland played well in patches but lacked cutting edge for spells against one of Europe's worst sides. McGinn said it will take time for the manager to implement his ideas and urged fans to give younger players breathing space.
He said: "We're going through a period which I've been used to at club level with Villa. There has been lot of changes and there's a lot of detail that we need to try and remember and get used to. It's about sticking at it. We're keen to play a style of football that's not easy but it's going to get bums off seats.
"It takes time. Over a few years now at club level, it's been the exact same for us but the Villa supporters stuck with us, the players stuck at it and it's important that everyone believes in it. Because if one person drops off or doesn't believe in it that's when it all starts to fall apart.
"We got an important win on Friday but there's definitely a lot of room for improvement."
Young Players and Next Test
McGinn praised young players, including Luke Graham, who he said was "brilliant" in the middle of a back three. He also mentioned Ryan Porteous returning and Ben Gannon-Doak showing glimpses. He said: "We've got so many players that can step up and they will. We just need to show that belief and take it on to pitch.
"Do the fans need to show patience? Maybe a bit. But I understand. It's frustrating at times, it was freezing on Friday so they want to see four, five, six goals. But the balance has got to be there. They're entitled to their opinion but there's got to be patience.
"The supporters can say whatever they like but as long as they hurl anything they want to shout at the experienced boys - and just let the young ones flourish while trying to settle into the team."
Scotland face Switzerland next in St Gallen, a match McGinn expects to be difficult even though his Villa team-mate Johan Manzambi is missing. He said: "It will be a difficult game on Monday. I know they drew with Slovenia on Friday. Johan withdrew after our game against Man United but they've got a couple of big players back who were missing last time at Hampden."
