JOHN McGINN’S spectacular overhead kick salvaged a crucial point for Steve Clarke’s Scots.
Just when it looked as if Austria’s version of Peter Crouch was about to condemn Scotland to their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier since 2013!
Stuttgart’s 6ft7″ striker Sasa Kalajdzic produced a towering performance at Hampden, helping himself to a double to open his international account in his third appearance for his country.
But the giant striker was cut down to size by pint-sized John McGinn who saved his side with a stunning bicycle kick five minutes from full-time.
It was the Aston Villa ace’s first goal in nine games for his country and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time as the Scots were on the brink of a disastrous opening defeat.
But yet again, Super John McGinn rode to the rescue as he underlined his value to Steve Clarke with his eighth goal in 16 appearances for his manager – Scotland’s top scorer since Clarke took charge.
However Gareth Southgate’s spies will have seen nothing here to spook them ahead of Scotland’s visit on Euro Championship business in June.
Franco Foda’s improving Austria are currently 25 places above 48th placed Scotland in Fifa’s world rankings and it showed when the visitors dominated for large periods.
But they passed up a string of chances until Kalajdzic pounced when David Marshall spilled Florian Grillitsch’s low shot to fire the visitor’s in front 10 minutes after the break.
Forgotten Scot Grant Hanley equalised eight years after his first and last goal for his country with a powerful header after 71 minutes.
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But Scotland looked doomed when Kalajdzic headed past Marshall with 10 minutes left.
That was until McGinn’s late magic left the Tartan Army head over heels.
And the strike is sure to have also left them with renewed vigour for Sunday’s tough clash against Israel.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
