Sport news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Six goals to go – will McGinn catch Dalglish & Law?
John McGinn scored twice in Scotland’s 2-1 Nations League win over North Macedonia, bringing his international tally to 24. He is now six goals short of the Scottish men’s scoring record, shared by Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law, raising the possibility that a midfielder could become the country’s leading scorer.
McGinn, 32, reached the same total as Hughie Gallacher and has 94 caps; Andy Robertson also equalled Dalglish’s appearance record with his 102nd cap. McGinn scored none for Scotland in 2025 after a recent dry spell, but his improved form at Aston Villa and increased role as a penalty taker could help him close the gap. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin believes he is capable of taking the record.
In short
- McGinn has 24 Scotland goals, six short of the record.
- His double secured a 2-1 win over North Macedonia.
- Improved form and penalties may help him catch Dalglish and Law.
Explained simply
Scotland’s men’s goalscoring record is shared by Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law, two forwards from earlier generations. Their total is a benchmark for players who represent Scotland, while the number of appearances a player earns is tracked separately.
John McGinn is a midfielder who plays for Scotland and Aston Villa, an English club. International goals can come in bursts or dry spells, and a player’s scoring chances depend partly on his role, including whether he takes penalties.
The record matters as a measure of achievement in Scotland’s international football history. McGinn’s progress also puts attention on how a midfielder’s contribution is counted alongside that of the forwards who have held the record.