'When I got the scan...': John McGinn provides Scotland fans with injury update and reveals World Cup fears
The Aston Villa midfielder was forced to undergo surgery on a knee injury last month
Scotland talisman John McGinn admits he feared his World Cup dream was over after picking up a knee injury playing for Aston Villa last month.
The 31-year-old midfielder was forced to go under the knife after limping out of his side’s 1-0 defeat to Everton at Villa Park on January 18, leaving Scotland fans sweating over the fitness of the former Hibs midfielder ahead of this summer’s World Cup in the United States.
While he is considered a doubt for the national team’s upcoming friendly games against Japan and Ivory Coast next month, McGinn has reassured the Tartan Army he'll be fighting fit by the time the tournament opener against Haiti comes around in June, as he discussed his current injury status.
“To be honest, it's one of the first things I thought about when I was down,” McGinn told Premier Sports. “I've been lucky enough not to have too many knee injuries in my career, but I felt it right away when I went down, and I thought 'oh no, this can't be serious'.
“As I am walking around the pitch, I knew I couldn't carry on. But when I got the scan results, it was pretty positive - a maximum of eight weeks. It has been four weeks tomorrow since the operation, so I'm well underway, and hopefully I'm back before then. Maybe another two or three weeks.”
After being asked if the injury layoff could benefit him in the long run, Aston Villa captain explained his current rehab process with his club side and why he has been able to keep his head up during the last month, while he also revealed the new nickname he has jokingly given himself during his stint on the treatment table.
“The last Euros I was probably a bit burnt out,” said McGinn. “That's not an excuse for being rotten, but it certainly helps, when the schedule is so busy, to get a reset. Which I've tried to do, because last summer and even the summer before, you don't get a lot of holidays. What people keep saying to me is 'just get right for the World Cup'. I was home yesterday for my nephew's birthday. But Aston Villa are in the highest league position for years, so I've got a lot of important stuff club-wise as well.
“One of the biggest regrets during my career was when I broke my ankle during Covid time. I like to think I'm a hard worker, but if I can cut a corner, I'll cut a corner.
“During Covid, when the physios couldn't actually treat you...I could skip a few things in the rehab. But I promised myself this time I'll do it properly. I feel in good nick, all prepared and ready to come back.
“I'm John McThin! I've been able to get my head around it [the injury] better, because a week later [Aston Villa teammate] Youri Tielemans got injured, which was a more serious injury. Boubacar Kamara is also out for the season, so if I'm moaning in the physio room, they tell me to shut up basically.”
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