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In this week’s RedMatchday Magazine…..

Player Feature | Niall McGinn

All too often, football becomes obsessed with the glamour end of the game, the goals, the star player, the individual. It all looks great on the TV and in the media, but the star system is ultimately one that creates a dead end.

If there is one key ingredient to the success that Derek McInnes has thus far brought to Pittodrie over the course of the season, it’s that it’s the team that has become the star, the collective that matters above all else. Everything good about Aberdeen emanates from the fact that the team, the squad, the staff, the crowd, we are all in it together.

The nature of that change is most reflected in the change in attitude towards Niall McGinn. Last year, he was banging in the goals left, right and centre and reaping all the plaudits as a consequence. This term, though he remains our top scorer, there are fewer goals to his name as his role in the team has evolved into something else. And if you happen to think that’s a change for the worse, just take a look at the league table or have a think about what you’re doing on Sunday 16th March. If you’re still not convinced, have a listen to Niall himself.

“Maybe some people don’t think I am doing as well as last year but I still feel I am contributing to the team. The manager always compliments me on my work rate but other people maybe don’t always see that work. I am involved with the set pieces and setting up chances for others. As long as the manager is happy, that is all that matters. I have been playing every week so I must be doing something right.

“If you asked me whether I would prefer to score 20 goals or get to a cup final, I would definitely take the final over everything. The main thing is that I do well for the team and help them. Of course, in a personal sense, it has been less exciting in terms of goals, but I have still chipped in with a few and I think it has been a more enjoyable season team wise. Last season was great for me personally but it was hard team wise as we were not winning as many games as we would have liked.

“This season, my role in the team has changed massively. Last season, I was playing as an out and out striker and getting plenty of chances and scoring goals. This year has been a lot different. I have been playing out wide on the right or on the left. Although this season has been different for me personally I have been involved in set plays and making chances for others.

“The manager just likes me to get on the ball and for me to create opportunities. He sees me as an important player to help others get openings.

“The main thing is that I am enjoying my football.

Young Dons Feature | Craig Murray

“I made my debut last season in the game at Pittodrie just before Christmas. That was a fantastic moment. This season I have been involved in the games against Alloa, St Johnstone, Falkirk and Motherwell.

“That Alloa game seems a long time ago! We have come a long way since then. It was an extremely difficult night, Alloa just sat in with five players at the back and although we had a lot of the ball, they defended really well. The game went to penalties but thankfully we won – I’m just relieved I did not have to take a penalty!

“I was actually next one up! After the first five penalties someone said, who is next? Thankfully, Mark Reynolds said he would take one, good man! But I was up after him. It was not a nice feeling! Jamie made the save though, Mark scored, we were into the next round and now we have a final to look forward to.

“As I have played in the Alloa and Falkirk League Cup games, I can say I have played a small part in getting the team get to the final!”

AFC Former Players Club Feature | Billy McNeill

After finishing his playing career in 1975, McNeill moved into management and cut his teeth with Clyde before Aberdeen made a shock move for the Lisbon Lion after Ally MacLeod left to take up the Scotland manager’s role.

Many observers were surprised that Aberdeen made McNeill their first choice to replace MacLeod as he had yet to prove himself as a manager. His reputation as a player and captain was unsurpassed, but many believed that taking on a big job like Aberdeen came too early in his coaching career.

Aberdeen took the view that a young emerging manager, keen to establish himself, was the ideal candidate. There would always be an element of risk, but the only real success as a manager at Pittodrie since the Dave Halliday era was a young Eddie Turnbull who had revolutionised the Pittodrie set up in the late 1960s. McNeill ticked all the Aberdeen boxes as a young manager with a burning desire to succeed.

Also in this weeks redmatchday: Richard Gordon, Derek McInnes, Chris Crighton, Jamie Langfield, Russell Anderson. plus have all the usual features and indepth historical content.

redmatchday magazine is on sale from in and around the ground on Tuesday night and is also available from the Pittodrie Club shop still priced at £3. If you cannot get to the game you can buy a copy online by clicking here