Scotland: Why John McGinn was barred from historic World Cup qualification celebrations

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Evening Standard

·19 November 2025

Scotland: Why John McGinn was barred from historic World Cup qualification celebrations

Star midfielder was unable to join in historic celebrations

was barred from Scotland's World Cup celebrations last night.

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Scotland on Tuesday evening qualified for a World Cup for the first time since France 1998 with a thrilling 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park.

Kieran Tierney's stunning curling effort from outside the area put Scotland ahead in injury time before Kenny McClean sparked rapturous scenes in the 98th minute with a goal from inside his own half to seal a historic victory.

Celebrations continued long into the night, and nowhere more ecstatic than inside the Scotland dressing room, but McGinn was unable to join in with the fun.

Posting a selfie of himself looking rather glum inside the bowels of Hampton Park, the midfielder wrote on Instagram: "Drug test not allowed in changing room can’t write it."

johnmcginn/Instagram

McGinn was in a more joyous mood shortly beforehand, when still on the pitch, hailing manager Steve Clarke's team team at half-time.

He told BBC Scotland: "I thought we were pretty rubbish to be honest, but who cares? To get over the line was such an amazing feeling. The gaffer’s team talk was exceptional.

"It’s a privilege every time we meet up. It’s just humble guys wanting to do well for their country. We left everything out there.

"You think that’s it… glorious failure, another blow. I was thinking about the play-offs in the 91st minute. But then what a hit from KT… I will never feel like that in a football stadium ever again."

Scotland now wait until the 2026 World Cup group stage draw, which takes place on December 5 in Washington DC.