John McGinn defends Scotland after Stale Solbakken blasts cancelled Norway warm-up | OneFootball

John McGinn has defended Scotland’s decision to scrap a behind-closed-doors warm-up with Norway, telling Stale Solbakken their priority is protecting their own squad after the Norway manager called the move unprofessional. The Aston Villa captain is in North Carolina preparing for his first World Cup.

The sides had arranged a 60-minute training game at Scotland’s Charlotte base on Monday. The Norwegian Football Federation announced on Sunday that it had been cancelled because of injuries in the Scotland camp.

“Our job is to look after Scotland, Norway’s job is to look after Norway,” McGinn said, noting the late loss of Billy Gilmour and several niggles in the camp. He said not everyone had trained and added they did not want to lose another player.

The 31-year-old suggested any nation would make the same call, adding that Norway would cancel too if deprived of Erling Haaland or Martin Odegaard before the weekend.

Solbakken criticised the cancellation after Norway drew 1-1 with Morocco, describing it as unprofessional and questioning both the injury explanation and the lack of a direct call from Scotland’s head coach. Team manager Brede Hangeland called the late change embarrassing and weak, noting months of planning had gone into the game.

Norway are based in Greensboro, about 90 miles from Scotland’s Charlotte training camp.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com