JOHN McGinn believes Steve Clarke’s new-look Scotland are ready to kick on because so many of his squad are now plying their trade in the English Premier League.

The former Hibernian midfielder was man of the match and netted the winning goal last week – worth no less than £170m to his club – as he helped Aston Villa win the Championship play-off against Derby County and win promotion to the riches of English top flight.

And he will be joined by Scotland stars Norwich City’s Kenny McLean and Sheffield United’s John Fleck, although the Blades midfielder will miss the Euro 2020 double-header with Cyprus and Belgium because of his wedding.

McGinn has spent the week on the stag do of his brother - St Mirren defender Stephen. But he’s determined to make an impact under the new manager in the Hampden dug-out.

McGinn said: “There’s a few of us now playing in the Premier League - myself, John Fleck and Kenny McLean all got promoted this season and we’ve also got Andy Robertson and Ryan Fraser. It’s looking positive for the country - hopefully we can deliver the way Villa did against Derby.

“Playing in the Premier League next season will lift our games.

I know I can still improve. There’s still a rawness to my game. But playing against the best players in the world in some of the most famous stadiums in the world can only enhance my game and make me grow as a player.

“But I feel I am different to everyone and hopefully I can show that in the Premier League, and show it with Scotland too. Every young kid growing up playing football dreams of playing in those big famous football stadiums.

“Now, for me, those dreams are going to become a reality next season. I just hope the club don’t change things too much. I hope they stick with the group that we have got. Hopefully they don’t go Spanish or I may need to change my name!”

With a wave of optimism surrounding the Birmingham club, McGinn is hopeful that Clarke can bring a similar sense of positivity to the national team.

“Scotland have got a couple of big games coming up now against Cyprus and Belgium,” he said. “They are going to be tough matches after a long, hard season but I think everyone is excited about them after the appointment of Steve Clarke.

“I am certainly looking forward to joining up with his squad. I can’t wait to see what he can do. I really believe Scotland has a talented bunch of players and Steve will have his own ideas to get the best out of us.”

And McGinn is hoping he will soon be joined by his team mate, with Villa keeper Jed Steer eligible to play for Scotland because of a grandparent. Steer didn’t make it as one of the four keepers called up by Clarke for his first squad, but McGinn believes he could soon force his way in.

He added: “I felt our goalkeeper was brilliant at Wembley. He qualifies for Scotland, too. I’ve been trying to talk him into playing for Scotland.

“I’m been bringing him some ice creams from Milngavie! He came up with some big saves in the play off final. He came up with some big saves and big catches towards the end. He had to be brave because he’s there’s 85,000 in the stadium and he stood up to be counted when it mattered.”