Skopje has been awash with Scotland colours this week, and at the centre of it all — as ever — is the figure of John McGinn. Few players carry the weight of a nation's expectations quite like he does, and ahead of Saturday's match against North Macedonia at the Todor Proeski Stadium, that weight has never felt heavier.

A talisman in need of a spark

McGinn will earn his 92nd cap on Saturday night, placing him third on Scotland's all-time appearance list and fifth in the all-time scoring charts — one goal behind the legendary Lawrie Reilly. The numbers tell the story of a remarkable career. Yet there is a quieter truth: his ability to define games for Scotland has not been as consistent recently as fans have come to expect.

The double deflection goal against Haiti at the World Cup stands as a recent highlight, but that was also his last international goal before the tournament — a drought stretching close to two years. The passion, the pressing, and the relentless work-rate remain intact. The game-changing moments, however, have been rarer.

McGinn himself spoke candidly when he met the press at the Todor Proeski Stadium.