Niall recently sat down and spoke to RedMatchday Magazine:

If you bump into Niall McGinn in the city, you might want to keep that to yourself, because after a trip to Euro 2016 and his involvement in the Dons’ own European campaign, we reckon Niall might just be the hardest working man in football. Not that he would trade his experiences in France for anything…

“All in all, it was unbelievable. Playing side of things, I was disappointed I didn’t play as much as I would have liked, but the boys were first class. I think looking back, if I had gone there and played as much as I did and 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 only game that we won, I can’t complain!

“To come back from the disappointment of the first game against Poland was a big plus too. The boys were disappointed, we didn’t show up on the day and Poland played well. They moved the ball quickly and the formation we played allowed them to create plenty of chances and get plenty of crosses into the box. Saying that, they didn’t have a lot of clear cut chances, but they took their chance when it came at the start of the second half and ultimately that was the difference in the game.

“The manager is always first class and gets the boys up for the games, so we knew he’d have us ready for the Ukraine. We changed our formation and worked hard on things on the training ground. The boys just gave it their all with one last big push, we knew we needed to one the game and the boys were confident, we were still on a high as we’d only lost 1 game in 10 or 11.

“We were still confident, and to turn up against Ukraine, the whole occasion was just unbelievable. Personally, I was just delighted to get on the pitch for the last 20 minutes or so and with big Josh as well, it was good for both of us as neither of us played at all in the first game. The impact he made for the goal and for me to score was unbelievable.

“It’s funny, driving to the game I had some good vibes. I knew that he was changing the formation and it meant that I might get a chance to come on and I sort of had good vibes that if I got on, I might have a chance of scoring. Even in the warm up and things I was doing shots and I think nearly all of them went into that corner which I scored in, so I knew coming on with us being 1-0 up, 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 Euros as well so it was an unbelievable feeling.

“I saw that wee gap to put the ball, the defender was coming from the far side and the keeper was on the ground, but taking up a big space, so I saw that wee gap to put the ball in and thankfully it hit the net and there was no stopping me then! Given the importance of it, obviously on the European stage, it is the best goal I’ve ever scored. I was over the moon, it is a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life. There are goals throughout your career that you think were good, but given how much that meant to me, my country and everyone involved in Northern Ireland, it is the best one for me.

“It was just the final nail in their coffin. The boys showed great character, the work ethic. We had a few other chances in the game as well, but to come on and score that crucial goal was unbelievable. Every game’s atmosphere was unbelievable, but that night was second to none.

“Scoring the two goals was pivotal because we knew goal difference could be an issue. Against Germany, hats off to Micky, he kept us in it as it could have been 5-0. They hit the post and crossbar, it just worked out nicely for us. For us to make the last 16 was just an unbelievable achievement and to look back at the group with Germany, Ukraine and Poland, even to win one game is great in itself and to concede only two goals in the group is always good.

“Straight after the Wales game everybody was disappointed as we were probably the better team, but we didn’t win. Now as the weeks and months go on, you look back and think “what an experience”. For a team like ourselves to even qualify for a major tournament was unbelievable, but to get to the last 16 was pretty special.

“I think looking at the group and seeing how it was formatted, if we won one game we had a great chance of qualifying and we spoke about it a lot. After losing the first game we knew we had to go out against Ukraine and win that game.

“After the game, I don’t know how many videos I watched of the goal with all different angles! Every angle possible of the goal you can actually see! To see the uproar and everyone going bananas was great. I think a lot of people just flew in for that game since it was Lyon and people found it easy to get to and the atmosphere was unbelievable”.

From the Euros it was back to Aberdeen, without much thought of getting a rest.

“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 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 and I’m sure at some points during the season the manager will give me some time off. The winter break should also benefit me this year.

“For me personally, the break is a great decision, but for all the lads, I think you get to that stage in the season where you are nearly there, but you still have three or four months to go. A winter break allows you to get recharged and raring to go again for the end of the season, it gives you that option to give one last push before the end of the season.

“We monitor the situation with the sports scientists and the manager. He will bring me in and see how I feel. If I feel I need days off, I will ask him, but being the way I am, I enjoy being here and enjoy playing football week in week out. If you asked most of the lads if they had an opportunity to play international football and a chance to go to tournaments, they would bite your hand off so I am fortunate to be where I am and I will not complain too much”.

Although the Dons’ European campaign ended in disappointment and controversy in Maribor, overall it was another step forward in terms of overall performance for the club.

“I think it has come from experience over the last couple of years. When we just came into Europe we were playing against good sides like Real Sociedad and Gronigen and they were keeping the ball for long periods of time. We’ve found that we are doing that recently in the early rounds of the Europa League. We are becoming more established and teams fear us. Even in the league, teams come and sit behind the ball and know they are in for a tough afternoon, but we need to get used to that and I think we are gaining more experience from every European adventure”.

Into his fifth season at the club, Niall is part of the Pittodrie furniture, a key member of the side, one of the old reliables.

“Time has definitely flown. I’ve loved every minute, there have been real highlights in Europe and winning that first trophy after 20 odd years and on a personal note, picking up a number of awards. It has been great for me and has helped me get my career back on track again. There was a period where I wasn’t really playing and ended up out on loan. A lot of thanks has to go out to Craig Brown for brining me here in the first place and then obviously the current manager. It has been an unbelievable experience that I’ve enjoyed and long may it continue.

“I love it here. It’s a nice place to live and the football side of things and the fans have been brilliant. The last four years, I’ve played a lot of international football too and everyone has been great to me. I think we are moving forward and have the strongest squad yet in my time here. You look at the guys coming in and the manager has definitely done well in bringing in the goalkeepers and strikers. As a team, there is competition for every position and that is what you need to be successful over the course of a season, domestically and the cups and Europe. It is exciting times for the club. Boys are coming here hungry to be successful and want to play week in week out, so we are definitely going in the right direction.

“There are good options now. Miles is fast and strong and can run in behind, Jayden is obviously good in the air, holding the ball up and similar to Adam who has the poaching trait of being there at the right time. Wes has come in and scored with his first touch to hit the ground running. All the boys have looked sharp and across the season, I’m sure they will all be called upon at different times. Even for the likes of myself and Jonny, to have players like that attacking, to see them get on the end of crosses or getting in behind gives us good options. You obviously like playing with different players with different options which makes things easier for us. Jayden in the air is a different option.

“Personally, over the last couple years my game has changed. When I first came in I was a striker and hit the ground running with plenty of goals. I always try and hit double figures and on a personal note to be the only person in Scotland to be in double figures in goals and assists was great for me. I will keep trying to create goals, but double figures is the goal and as many assists as possible!”

“Personally, over the last couple years my game has changed. When I first came in I was a striker and hit the ground running with plenty of goals. I always try and hit double figures and on a personal note to be the only person in Scotland to be in double figures in goals and assists was great for me. I will keep trying to create goals, but double figures is the goal and as many assists as possible!”