Six goals to go - will McGinn catch Dalglish & Law?

As Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish watched one of his records equalled in Scotland's 2-1 win over North Macedonia, another of his feats loomed into view.

The night was supposed to be about Andy Robertson joining Dalglish as Scotland's most-capped man, the Tottenham left-back making his 102nd appearance for his country.

But instead, for the first time, the 75-year-old might be nervous that his crown as one of Scotland men's all-time top goalscorers is wobbling.

That is because, in Scotland's rather humdrum Nations League victory, John McGinn - in his 94th Scotland appearance - took two big strides towards the record.

The Aston Villa midfielder now has 24 goals for his country - six shy of Dalglish's long-standing record of 30, shared with Denis Law.

"It's something that's been in the back of my head," McGinn admitted in the post-match debrief. "If I start climbing that table, it means we've been successful as a team."

Now 32 years old, time is running out for him. But as he pulls level with Hughie Gallacher, one of the Wembley Wizards of folklore, his ambition is clear.

There was a time when talk of this record being toppled seemed laughable. Scotland has produced strikers in recent decades, but none close to Dalglish or Law.

The fact a midfielder might take the title makes McGinn's feat all the more astonishing.

His prowess in front of goal is no secret to the Tartan Army. There was the spell at the end of 2019 where he scored six in three games, his overhead kick against Austria, his late winner against Croatia in 2024.

But of late, his lack of goals and even his performances have had some fans questioning where he fits into the Scotland team.

"It has been a bit of a dry patch for me over the last year on the goal front," McGinn admitted, and he's not wrong.

He failed to find the back of the net for Scotland in 2025, the first time he'd done that since 2020.

But, just as his form at Villa has sky-rocketed, he came up big for his new international head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.

"Isn't it great to have a John McGinn in your team?" former Scotland winger Pat Nevin said on Sportsound. "He's somebody you'd want to have in your team to be taking a penalty for you.

"I'd be surprised if John McGinn doesn't get the goal record now. It might take him another year or two, but he is definitely capable of getting that record."

Becoming Scotland's main penalty taker will help, a fact McGinn alluded to coyly post-match.

In his career, he had only taken one spot-kick before this season - scoring for Scotland in the 3-3 draw against Norway back in 2023.

In this campaign he has scored three and missed one, smacking the bar against Fulham on Halloween.

In classic McGinn fashion, he bounced back to slot home against Manchester United the following week, before being caught on ref-cam admitting to the official that he was nervous to take it after his hitting the woodwork.

That jovial, lovable personality has not just won him fans off the pitch. It is clear that his team-mates at both Villa and the national team adore him.

"He's not going to stop until he [gets the record]," said striker Che Adams, who helped set up McGinn's first against North Macedonia.

"Everyone's pleased for him, he's the best person I've met in football. For him to get the recognition he deserves is amazing."

McGinn's iconic status in Scottish football is secure and will not be tarnished if he fails to climb the mountain.

Whether it is being speared by Steven Thompson in training, calling Scotland performances 'jobby', or admitting he would "probably be at Yeovil" were it not for his backside, the midfielder has already won the heart of a nation.