RANGERS v ABERDEEN
LEE HODSON will try to keep tabs on Niall McGinn tonight but the Rangers defender admitted he could ask his Northern Ireland pal for advice on how to pack a summer holiday into a half day at the end of May.
The pair will be on opposite sides at Ibrox this evening but they will be in the same boat at the end of the season.
Both are expected to be called up for international duty for the friendly against New Zealand on June 2 and World Cup qualifier with Azerbaijan on June 10.
With Gers kicking off their Europa League campaign less than three weeks later and Aberdeen involved not long after it means the pair of them can forget any ideas of a fortnight on the beach or a three-week road trip down Route 66.
They’ll be lucky to blag an afternoon in Ardrossan this year.
McGinn’s had it for the last three summers and both barely had time to blink during their time off last year after going to the Euros.
But Hodson’s not going to take the huff about holidays. You might be able to get some nice snaps on your jollies but the full-back would rather create memories on the pitch.
He said: “I’m not bothered. It’s been the same with Niall these last few years.
“You make sacrifices as a footballer but it’s about the memories you make when you play for a big club like Rangers.
“You’ll happily sacrifice things like holidays to play in Europe.
“Every player would choose to play in Europe every week than have a longer holiday.
“We went to the Euros last year and that was something you dream about as a kid. I’ll treasure that experience forever.
“I’d rather make those kind of memories than have an extra week on holiday.
“You want to do as well as you can in your career so you can look back and say you’ve done things like Europe or major tournaments.
“When you reach the end of your career you can enjoy the rest.”
Hodson and McGinn can trade Euro tales but the defender doesn’t need to be told how tough it will be to keep his international team-mate quiet.
The Dons attacker is one of the best in the business and Hodson is hoping he has picked up plenty in training to deal with the threat.
He said: “Niall is a fantastic player, he has been performing well this season for Aberdeen and does it with Northern Ireland.
“I know how he plays, he is very direct, quick, skilful and has good delivery.
“As a team we know what to expect from Aberdeen. This is the fourth time we have played them this season so we know what we are facing.
“He has been a big player for Aberdeen over the last couple of years. Whatever Niall decides to do next season I am sure it will be a positive for him and he will kick on and give wherever he goes the success he has given Aberdeen.
“Our focus is on us and making sure we put on a performance. It is the last home game of the season and we want to finish on a high.”
The same goes for Hodson. It’s been a frustrating season at times for the former MK Dons and Kilmarnock man. He’s been in and out of the side then picked up an injury just as new boss Pedro Caixinha was getting his feet under the desk.
Hodson has a reputation of being a quietly efficient, no-nonsense player and typically will keep his head down and keep working to make sure he’s part of Caixinha’s long-term plans.
The 25-year-old – who has a year left on his Ibrox deal – said: “Everyone wants to be playing but you have to respect the decisions being made. That is football.
“One week you are in the team and the next you could be out. It has been frustrating because you want to play as much as you can.
“When I am called upon I need to show the manager what I can do and do the best