Niall McGinn

Niall McGinn

McGinn playing for Celtic in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-07-20) 20 July 1987
Place of birth Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Winger / Striker
Club information
Current team
 Aberdeen
Number 10
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Dungannon Swifts 42 (4)
2008–2009 Derry City 31 (6)
2009–2012 Celtic 28 (4)
2011–2012 → Brentford (loan) 37 (5)
2012– Aberdeen 157 (51)
National team‡
2007–2008 Northern Ireland U23 2 (0)
2009 Northern Ireland B 1 (0)
2008– Northern Ireland 50 (3)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:43, 3 December 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17:59, 15 October 2016 (UTC)

Niall McGinn (born 20 July 1987) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish club Aberdeen and the Northern Ireland national team.

Club career

Dungannon Swifts

McGinn began his football career at Dungannon Swifts in his native country. In his first full season, the club finished in 10th place.

Derry City

McGinn was signed by Derry City manager Stephen Kenny in January 2008 for an undisclosed fee from Dungannon Swifts in the Carnegie Premier League, who in turn signed him from Donaghmore Celtic. His decision to sign a professional football contract meant that McGinn retired from playing Gaelic football for Donaghmore and Tyrone U-21s.[1] A very promising young talent, McGinn mainly plays on the left or right side of midfield but he can also be employed as a secondary striker. On 14 March 2008, McGinn made his debut for the club in a 2–1 win over Finn Harps. On 25 March 2008, McGinn scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 win over University College Dublin. On 1 June 2008, McGinn scored his second goal in a 3–2 loss against Cork City. On 25 July 2008, McGinn scored his third goal in a 4–0 win over Galway United and scored again (fifth) in the second meeting on 2 November 2008 in a 2–0 win. On 9 August 2008, McGinn scored his fourth goal in a 3–0 win over Cobh Ramblers and scored again (sixth) in the second meeting on 14 November 2008 in a 4–2 win.

During 2008, he attracted interest from such clubs as Celtic and Championship sides Ipswich Town and Swansea City.[2] He also attracted interest from Birmingham City.[3]

as McGinn making a pass.

Celtic

McGinn signed for Celtic on 1 January 2009.[4] On 12 September 2009, McGinn made his first team debut for Celtic against Dundee United. Although the game ended in a 1–1 draw, McGinn was awarded the official Man of the Match award. On 17 September 2009, McGinn made his Europa League Groupstage debut in a 2–1 loss against Hapoel Tel Aviv. In the last Groupstage game with Celtic out, they faced Austrian side Rapid Wien to finished third place. The match ended 3–3 which Celtic finished third. During the match, McGinn started the match and provided assist for Marc-Antoine Fortuné to score the second goal in a match before coming off for Graham Carey.

On 31 October 2009, McGinn scored his first goal for Celtic coming on as a 66th-minute substitute in a 3–0 win over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. McGinn scored his second goal for Celtic against Hamilton Academical on 26 December 2009 by driving a right footed shot into the top corner. He scored his first goal in the Scottish Cup and his third of the 2009–10 season to put Celtic 1–0 ahead against Greenock Morton on 19 January 2010. In the January transfer window, McGinn was a transfer target for Premier League side Wigan Athletic but wished to stay at Celtic.[5] At the end of the season, McGinn suffered an injury during the end of the last training session of the season on 17 May 2010 after breaking a metatarsal bone in his right foot and out for 2 months.[6] After recovering from his injury, McGinn says manager Neil Lennon played a big role in helping him recover from his injury.[7]

McGinn clashing with a St Mirren player with the ball.

After being on the substitute twice in the game but did not come on, McGinn scored in his first game of the 2010–11 season, a 3–2 win over St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup on 27 October 2010[8] which he scored twice in the match. 3 days later on 30 October 2010, McGinn scored twice against them but this time in the league in a 3–2 win. In the next match against Aberdeen, McGinn provided assist for Gary Hooper to score his second in the match which later Hooper scored a hat-trick. That match would hold the record as the biggest ever win in the SPL, as well as being the biggest ever defeat in the history of Aberdeen. Later on the season, McGinn would play less and be on the substitute bench.

McGinn dribbling the ball.

Before the start of the season rumours flowed that there was a fall-out between McGinn and Lennon with McGinn being unhappy over being left out of the pre-season tour of Australia. Lennon denied this and explained the leaving out of McGinn was due to his international commitments at the Nations Cup in May.[9] McGinn signed a new one-year extension on his contract at the start of the 2011–12 season before moving to Brentford.[10] After his loan move to Brentford, McGinn says moving to Brentford could be an end of his Celtic career after a phone-call conversation from Lennon.[11]

Brentford (loan)

On 7 July 2011, McGinn signed for English League One club Brentford on a season long loan deal.[10] On 6 August 2011, McGinn made his debut for the club in a 2–0 win against Yeovil Town where he made his first start before coming off in the second half. On 16 August 2011, McGinn provided an assist for Clayton Donaldson to make 2–0 against Exeter City, only for the game to end in a 2–1 win. On 20 August 2011, McGinn scored his first goal for the club in a 5–0 win over Leyton Orient. On 17 September 2011, McGinn scored his second goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Preston. On 10 December 2011, McGinn scored his third goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Hartlepool United. On 14 February 2012, McGinn scored his fourth goal for the club in a 2–1 loss against Colchester United. On 3 April 2012, McGinn scored his fifth goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic and in the first meeting of the season, McGinn set up a goal for Myles Weston in a 2–0 win on 24 September 2011.

Aberdeen

On 4 July 2012, McGinn signed for Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen on a two-year contract after his deal with Celtic expired.[12] After his move to Aberdeen, McGinn revealed the club's aim to challenge his former club Celtic and gain a place in Europe.[13] McGinn joined up with his teammates as they headed out to Germany for a pre-season tour which included games against Werder Bremen and FC St. Pauli. McGinn scored his first goal for the Dons' in the friendly against St. Pauli, rounding the goalkeeper after picking up the ball from a poor back pass.[14]

He went on to make his competitive debut for Aberdeen, in an opening day 1–0 defeat away to SPL champions Celtic.[15] The following weekend, McGinn made his home debut against newly promoted side Ross County.[16] The game finished 0–0 and also saw McGinn stretchered off towards the end of the game after an accidental collision with veteran defender Grant Munro.[17] Manager Craig Brown spoke after the game, ruling McGinn out of the Northern Ireland squad that was due to face Finland on 14 August.[18] The former Scotland manager said: "We can't tell the length of the recovery period but he will certainly be out in the immediate future."[19]

After being out for 4 weeks due to an ankle injury, McGinn featured as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Inverness Caledonian thistle. The next week he came on as a substitute against Motherwell and scored his first competitive goal for the club, helping Aberdeen come back from 1–3 down to draw 3–3. He then went on to score in his next 2 appearances for the Dons. A 2–1 victory at home to Hibernian and helped the Dons come back to beat Kilmarnock 3–1 at Rugby Park. A fortnight later, he scored his thirtieth goal in four matches at Tannadice in a 1–1 draw with Dundee United. On 27 October 2012, McGinn became the first Aberdeen player in 20 years to score in five successive league matches, netting the opening goal in a 2–0 win over Dundee.[20] The following week, in a 2–1 loss to Ross County in Dingwall, McGinn scored in his sixth straight league match, smashing Duncan Shearer's record. McGinn headed a late equaliser for Aberdeen in a Scottish Cup tie with Motherwell to level the match and set up a replay at Fir Park.

McGinn then bagged the first hat-trick in his professional career in a convincing 3–1 victory over Dundee at Dens Park, on 29 December 2012;[21] this brought his goal tally to 14 before the turn of the year. He scored a sublime free kick in a 2–2 draw with Dundee United at Pittodrie three days later, his 14th goal in 19 league games. On the last day of the transfer window, McGinn revealed he received a six-figure bid from three clubs in the Championship, which he rebuffed, to return the faith shown in him by Craig Brown.[22] Later in the 2012–13 season, McGinn impressive display earned him a nomination for PFA Scotland's player of the year.[23]

On 3 May 2013, McGinn was awarded both Aberdeen Player of the Year and Aberdeen Players' Player of the Year for the 2012–13 season. On picking up the awards McGinn said: "The fans have been unbelievable towards me and I am very thankful to them for that. To win the award voted for by the fans means that you are doing something right on the park. Thank you to everyone that took the time to vote for me".[24] McGinn finished the season with 21 goals in all competitions, 20 of those coming in league matches. On 17 May, McGinn signed a two-year extension to his current contract, tying him to the club until 2016.[25] After signing a new contract, McGinn insisted that he has unfinished business to do by winning trophies for the club.[26] At the end of the 2012–13 season, McGinn finished the season, with 21 goals in thirty-nine appearance in all competitions.[27]

In 2013–14 season, McGinn scored his first goals of the season in a 3–1 win over Motherwell,[28] followed up his third goal, in a 2–1 loss against Hearts.[29] However, McGinn soon sustained an ankle injury during an international game that cause him to missed two games.[30] McGinn then started being on a goal scoring form when he scored five goals in four games against Partick Thistle,[31] Hearts,[32] Celtic[33] and St Johnstone.[34] Later in the second half of 2013–14 season, McGinn would play a vital role when he provided a double assist, in a 2–1 win over Celtic, giving their first loss of the season.[35] A few weeks later, McGinn played the full 120 minutes of normal plus extra time in the Scottish League Cup Final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle which Aberdeen won 4–2 on penalty kicks.[36] McGinn scored his first league goal in three months, as Aberdeen drew 1–1 with Dundee United.[37] McGinn scored twice on 30 March 2014, in a 2–0 win over Hibernian.[38] McGinn then finished 2013–14 season as the top-scorer for the second time in a row with thirteen goals in all competitions.

In 2014–15 season, McGinn scored two goals in the Europa League Qualifier, in a 5–0 win over Daugava Rīga in the first leg,[39] followed up his second, in a 2–1 win over FC Groningen.[40] On 30 August 2014, McGinn first goal of the season came in a 1–0 win over Partick Thistle.[41] On 22 December, McGinn signed a contract extension, staying with the Dons until Summer 2017.[42]

International career

McGinn's performances for Derry City led to him featuring in the Northern Ireland under-23 team.

In November 2008, McGinn received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad by manager Nigel Worthington for the series of international friendlies[43] and he gained his first cap coming on as a substitute against Hungary on 19 November.[44] He was the first Derry City player to play for the senior Northern Ireland team in 19 years.[45] Although disappointed in the result, Nigel Worthington is quoted as saying of McGinn:

“ He was the one bright spark in our side. He did what he is good at – he kept it simple. He ran at players when he had the opportunity and was not afraid.[46] ”

McGinn again impressed when called up to the senior squad for the friendly against Israel at Windsor Park on 12 August 2009. The match ended 1–1, and McGinn came on as a second-half substitute. Again, his individual performance was praised by manager Nigel Worthington:

“ Niall McGinn did terrifically well – he got us up the pitch and used his pace and ability.[47] ”

McGinn scored his first international goal in a draw against Portugal in a FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifier on 16 October 2012.[48] His second goal was the winning goal in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier, during Northern Ireland's first competitive away victory since September 2010, beating Hungary 2-1.[49] He scored his third goal at the 2016 Euro Championship in a 2-0 win over Ukraine. He stated later, "What a night and what an occasion. To come off the bench and to score as well was just unbelievable for me."[50] It was in a match that saw the team win for the first time at the European finals, and was the latest ever goal at the tournament, coming in the 96th minute.[51]

On 15 November 2016, McGinn won his 50th cap for Northern Ireland, as they played Croatia in a friendly, being named as captain for the match.[52][53]

International goals
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Goals
1
 16 October 2012 Portugal Estádio do Dragão, Porto  Portugal
1–1
 2014 World Cup qualifier 1
2
 7 September 2014 Hungary Albert Stadion, Budapest  Hungary
2–1
 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier 1
3
 16 June 2016 France Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon  Ukraine
2–0
 UEFA Euro 2016 1

Style of play

Upon his signing for Brentford, McGinn's new manager Uwe Rösler said that, "Niall is a quick, very direct player and has a very good work ethic."[10]

Awards

McGinn's fine season with Derry City in 2008 was publicly recognised when he won the 2008 PFAI Young Player of the Year award.[54]

In January 2010 McGinn was awarded the George Best Breakthrough Award for 2009 in recognition of his impressive performances for club and country.[55]

On 6 November 2012, it was announced that Aberdeen had scooped a hat-trick of awards for the month of October. Manager Craig Brown took Manager of the Month, McGinn took Player of the Month and midfielder Ryan Fraser took the award for Young Player of the Month.[56]

Personal life

In January 2011, it was reported that Royal Mail had intercepted packages sent by loyalists containing bullets addressed to McGinn, Paddy McCourt and Celtic manager Neil Lennon.[57] McGinn and McCourt were both shocked and disappointed to be subjected to such threats.[58]

Career statistics

As of 3 December 2016[59][60]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dungannon Swifts 2005–06 10------10
2006–07 230------230
2007–08 184------184
Total 424000000424
Derry City 2008 316134----4410
Celtic 2009–10 142111050213
2010–11 142001100153
Total 284112150366
Brentford (loan) 2011–12 375200020415
Aberdeen 2012–13 35203120004021
2013–14 36134140004414
2014–15 365102062457
2015–16 36101010624412
2016–17 143004151235
Total 157519213117519659
Career total 2957025715224535984

International

As of 21 June 2016[61]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Northern Ireland 200810
200950
201040
201170
201231
201380
201461
201560
201641
Total443

Honours

Club

Derry City
Celtic
Aberdeen
GAA

Individual

References

  1. ↑ PLAYER PROFILES – Niall McGinn Derry City FC. Retrieved 16 November 2008
  2. ↑ Chelsea scouting City's McGinn Derry Journal Online, 14 October 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008
  3. ↑ "Bhoys & Blues battle for winger". Sky Sports. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "McGinn seals transfer to Celtic". BBC Sport. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  5. ↑ "McGinn eyes long Celtic stay". Sky Sports. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "McGinn suffers injury blow". Sky Sports. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "McGinn grateful to Lennon". Sky Sports. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "St Johnstone 2–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 27 October 2010.
  9. ↑ "Lennon – No McGinn fall-out". Sky Sports. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 "Celtic winger Niall McGinn joins Brentford on loan". BBC Sport. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  11. ↑ "McGinn to secure Hoops future". Sky Sports. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Aberdeen sign former Celtic forward Niall McGinn". BBC Sport. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "McGinn eyes title challenge". Sky Sports. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  14. ↑ "Friendly: St Pauli 1 Aberdeen 1". Daily Record. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "Celtic 1–0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "Aberdeen 0–0 Ross County". BBC Sport. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "Dons boss sweats on fitness of Niall McGinn after he is stretchered off". Daily Record. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn to miss Northern Ireland friendly". BBC Sport. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "Post Match Reaction". Sky Sports. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  20. ↑ "Aberdeen 2–0 Dundee". BBC. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  21. ↑ "Dundee 1 Aberdeen 3: McGinn magic has Dons beaming as treble leaves Dee in the mire". Daily Record. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  22. ↑ "Aberdeen striker Niall McGinn knocks back Championship interest on deadline day". Daily Record. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  23. ↑ "Leigh Griffiths, Michael Higdon, Andrew Shinnie & Niall McGinn on SPFA shortlist". BBC Sport. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  24. ↑ Afc Player Of The Year Dinner : Aberdeen FC
  25. ↑ "Aberdeen forward Niall McGinn signs new two-year deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 May 2013.
  26. ↑ "Niall McGinn: I've got unfinished business with Aberdeen.. I want to win trophies". Daily Record. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "Aberdeen hitman Niall McGinn: Even I was shocked when I scored 21 goals last season". Daily Record. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "Motherwell 1 – 3 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "Heart of Midlothian 2 – 1 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "Aberdeen FC hopeful on fitness of Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes". Evening Express. 16 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-10-31. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  31. ↑ "Aberdeen 4 – 0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  32. ↑ "Aberdeen 1 – 3 Heart of Midlothian". BBC Sport. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "Celtic 3 – 1 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "St Johnstone 0 – 2 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "Aberdeen 2 – 1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  36. 1 2 Campbell, Andy (16 March 2014). "Aberdeen 0–0 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  37. ↑ "Aberdeen 1 – 1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  38. ↑ "Aberdeen 2 – 0 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  39. ↑ "Aberdeen 5 – 0 Daugava Riga". BBC Sport. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  40. ↑ "Groningen 1–2 Aberdeen (agg 1–2)". BBC Sport. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  41. ↑ "Aberdeen 2–0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  42. ↑ "Aberdeen: Adam Rooney & Niall McGinn sign new deals". BBC Sport. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  43. ↑ McGinn gains first senior call-up RTÉ Sport, 7 November 2008; Retrieved 16 November 2008
  44. ↑ NORTHERN IRELAND 0–2 HUNGARY Irish FA, 19 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008
  45. ↑ Aidan Fitzmaurice McGinn aims to end 19 years of Derry exclusion Herald.ie, 12 November 2008; Retrieved 23 November 2008
  46. ↑ "Worthington rounds on his side after Hundgary defeat". THE IRISH TIMES. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  47. ↑ NI winger impresses Worthington BBC Sport, 12 August 2009; Retrieved 14 August 2009
  48. ↑ "Northern Ireland spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's big day with Portugal draw". Guardian News and Media Limited. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  49. ↑ "Hungary 1-2 Northern Ireland". BBC. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  50. ↑ "Euro 2016: Niall McGinn still on 'cloud nine' after NI win over Ukraine". BBC. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  51. ↑ "Ukraine 0-2 Northern Ireland". BBC. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  52. ↑ Petrie, Richard (15 November 2016). "Northern Ireland 0–3 Croatia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  53. ↑ "McGinn reflects on 'memorable' 50th cap occasion". BBC Sport. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  54. ↑ Fahey named PFAI Player of the Year RTÉ Sport, 17 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008
  55. ↑ McGinn nets top football award Celtic FC, 29 January 2010
  56. 1 2 "McGinn named SPL player of the month". BBC Sport. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  57. ↑ Murray, Ewan (10 January 2010). "Neil Lennon brushes aside bullets threat as Celtic ease past Berwick". The Guardian. London.
  58. ↑ "Hoops duo shocked by threats". Sky Sports. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  59. ↑ Niall McGinn career statistics at Soccerbase
  60. ↑ Niall McGinn profile at Soccerway
  61. ↑ "Football PLAYER: Niall McGinn". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  62. ↑ "Aberdeen: Niall McGinn picks up monthly player award". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.

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