John McGinn was suffering with a minor leg injury while on international duty with Scotland, according to Alan Hutton.
McGinn, 29, was named on the substitutes’ bench for Scotland’s friendly clash with France on Tuesday (17 October) after previously playing all 90 minutes of the 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying defeat in Spain.
Steve Clarke substituted McGinn into the game in the dying seconds to enable the Aston Villa midfielder to win his 60th cap for the Scottish national team.
Hutton was delighted to see his friend earn such an achievement and the former right-back has also revealed that it was an injury issue that caused McGinn to be benched in the first place.
“I spoke to him and he had a little tightness in his legs.
“It was good that he came on for his 60th cap – it’s an unbelievable achievement and he’s got a lot more in him.
“After everything, Seville, the weather and the high of qualifying, it was nice to see that these guys in the squad who turn up for every single camp and don’t get the minutes they want have been given an opportunity. It’s nice to see.”
It remains to be seen what the extent of McGinn’s injury is but as he was still fit enough to play the final stages of Scotland’s 4-1 defeat in Lille, the chances are that he should be fine to start against West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday (22 October).
Unai Emery is expected to speak to the media on Friday (20 October) and could provide an update on the Aston Villa midfielder.