Aston Villa star describes how tough moments at the top level can be worse than expected including the pressure entails.
Aston Villa star and skipper, John McGinn are heading for his historic caps with his nation. He currently has featured 91 times and should he play against North Macedonia later, it would be his 92nd or eight games to go to the centurian. Meanwhile, Scotland captain, Andy Robertson could mark his 100 appearance in the same match.
Nevertheless, the 32-year old versatile midfielder, did not seem to worry too much about such cap record for himself. McGinn is more interested on how difficult moments can be to stay at the top level and how he manage it. The Villa skipper discussed it prior to Scotland game in UEFA Nations League this weekend in Skopje as reported by BBC.
“If you go through a barren spell or you go through a spell where you’re not doing too well, you need to find that inner self-belief, which I feel like I have. The older you get, you learn how to manage tough moments better. They get worse, though.”
The former Hibernian man has been the new legendary player in Aston Villa. He has even been described as the best Villa captain since Dennis Mortimer, who won The Lions’ last league title in 1981 and lifted European Cup trophy in 1982.
McGinn is one of the most consistent player in the Clarets and Blue, the one who has stayed through the tough times in the Championship and eventually good times under Unai Emery. He does not leave when every star does. Therefore, the Villa skipper is aware of the pressure. All star players or key figure in the team is more or less like a beast.
“The nature of the beast is, at club and country, you have a lot of responsibility, a lot of weight on your shoulders,” he said. “When you do something well, you’re the best thing since sliced bread. When you don’t have a great couple of games, or you’re not producing assists, or you make a poor pass in a pivotal moment of the game, you’re automatically not good enough.”
He also shares from his point of view how tough moments and its pressure at the top level can be immensely huge and he has learned to cope it throughout the time, not instantly.
“The lows get lower and the highs become less high. But you certainly deal with it a lot better when you’re older. When you’re younger, it completely consumes you and you try and work too hard to come out of what could potentially be a difficult moment. But I feel as if I’m managing those times well.”
McGinn’s official status in Scotland national team is the team vice-captain. Yet, it does not mean that he is undroppable in the squad. He adds his comment on it.
“I don’t think anyone in the squad is undroppable. It’s the challenge to anyone coming into the squad and I encourage that challenge.
“The competition is always there, whether that’s someone who’s 20, 21 or in their 30s. The best players will play for Scotland. If the manager said to me, ‘You’re on the bench, I need you for five minutes, ten minutes, zero minutes or 90-plus’, we’re here to represent Scotland.
“The thing that’s made us so successful over the years is that it doesn’t matter if you play for Aston Villa, Motherwell, Hibs, St Mirren, anyone. You represent Scotland and at the end of the day the best team will take to the pitch.If that’s a team without me in it, I’ll be the biggest Scotland supporter on the bench.”
Such spirit perhaps which keeps him in the team. He does not feel special just because of his official status and his pride keeps him motivated to contribute something for his country.
“What keeps me going is how I felt on that first night (his 2016 debut) against Denmarkt he pride, the emotion. When you’re picked to play for your country, you never know when it’s going to be your last, so you don’t take it for granted.Quite possibly tomorrow night, you never know. It could be the last time you’re chosen.”
The post ‘They get worse’ – Aston Villa star on difficult moments at the top level appeared first on AVillaFan.com – Aston Villa Fan Site.
