On RedTV this evening there is a feature length interview with Niall McGinn. As well as previewing the Dons European game tomorrow and looking further ahead to the season, the Dons winger tells us about his summer in France and about THAT goal!
RedTV | to watch the interview in full | please click here
“All in all it was an unbelievable experience. Playing side of things, I was slightly disappointed I didn’t play as much as I would have liked, but the boys were first class and I think looking back If I had gone there and played more but didn’t score I would have been disappointed, but just the fact I was there and I scored a goal at the Euros in the game that we won I can’t complain and I’m over the moon that’s for sure!”
“Driving to the game I had some good vibes. I knew that the manager was changing the formation and it meant that I might get a chance to come on and even before the game I sort of had good vibes that if I did come on I might have a chance of scoring. Even in the warm up I was doing shots and I think nearly all of them went into that corner which I scored! Coming on with us being 1-0 up and Ukraine having to push forward I thought we might get them on the counter attack and in the 95th minute of stoppage time I popped up in the right place at the right time. All sorts of emotions go through your head, you’ve just scored in the Euros, but more importantly you’re helping your team win their first ever competitive game at the European Finals as well so all in all it was an unbelievable feeling”.
“The fact the goal meant so much to so many people made it very special.
“Fitness wise I feel great. I know how important the European football is for Aberdeen and I wanted to get back and help out straight away. I flew back to Belfast on the Monday for the parade and then was back here for training on Tuesday. I don’t mind that, but the manager being who he is and how good he is with me, he will always give me time off so I had that week off and went to Portugal to get the feet up for a few days and now I’m back at it again. I’m sure at some points during the season the manager will give me some time off and the winter break should also benefit me this year”.
“The performance last Thursday was very good. The thing with these European games is there are no real bad teams. All these European players are technically gifted and move the ball well. They will always be tactically good, create chances and make it difficult for you. We know we are a good team with good players and we will always keep fighting to the end. The boys played well even though we didn’t score early and we felt strong at the end, thankfully we saw the game out and won 3-0”.
“The experience in Europe over the last couple of years has helped us. When we were playing against good sides like Real Sociedad and Groningen they were keeping the ball for long periods of time. That is something we have learned that we need to do and something we have done quite well in the two home games. We are gaining more experience from every European adventure.
Although we are three goals ahead it is still going to be a very tougher game over there. The home game was tough in itself, but we got the goals, saw it out and hopefully that can stand us in good stead, but we know going over there we will need to put in a good shift. Being a professional football you want to be involved in these ties so I certainly won’t be taking it lightly and if there was one game which showed that could happen it was in Luxembourg. So we will not be wanting the same thing on Thursday night in Latvia, the boys will be more than ready and we are looking forward to it”.
Finally, just to clear something up, we asked Niall if he was claiming the second goal against Fola at Pittodrie?!
“Of course! It was on target, so it is my goal! That is one for the season!”
“Of course! It was on target, so it is my goal! That is one for the season!”
