McGinn keen to hit the goal trail again in time of need

NIALL McGINN would relish an opportunity to reprise his former role as a striker if Derek McInnes seeks an alternative cure for Aberdeen’s goalscoring issues.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Celtic in the Betfred Cup final was a second successive blank for the Pittodrie side ahead of this evening’s Ibrox assignment against Premiership leaders Rangers.

None of Aberdeen’s recognised centre-forwards have managed more than two top-flight goals this term, leaving winger Gary Mackay-Steven — sidelined after suffering concussion at the weekend — as their top league scorer on three.

Northern Ireland international McGinn has also operated out wide in recent years but enjoyed a prolific 21-goal campaign as a striker for former manager Craig Brown in 2012-13.

‘If I was asked to play up front, I would definitely do that,’ said the 31-year-old, who has scored once from the wing this term. ‘But since the manager has come in, he’s played me out wide.

‘My first season under Craig Brown, I enjoyed it immensely. I scored a lot of goals and played with a lot of freedom.

‘If I’m ever asked to play striker, I would do it with no qualms. I would go out there and do a job for the team. It might be an option for the manager in the future but it’s his decision, not mine. As long as I’m in the team, I’m happy.

‘I enjoyed the central role that season. Even when you aren’t having a great game, you still get chances. More often than not, you will get one or two.

‘I scored 21 goals that season, which was massive for me. That stemmed from Craig Brown having faith in me and playing me week in and week out through the middle.

‘If I was asked to play through the middle again, would I do it? Yes, I would. If that opportunity came along, I would try to grab it with both hands.’

Whether or not he shifts position, McGinn sees grounds for optimism that Aberdeen can click into gear during a potentially pivotal sequence of eight league games this month.

‘It’s one of those ones where we probably just need a good performance with a few goals, one of the strikers maybe scoring a couple,’ he added.

‘You know going to Ibrox you’re not going to score a lot of goals and opportunities might be limited. But we have to start taking them because if we don’t, we’ll start falling down the league.’

After second-place finishes in the four previous seasons, Aberdeen are currently nine points behind Rangers, having played one game fewer.

They defeated Steven Gerrard’s side in the Betfred Cup semi-final but McGinn recognises how much more potent their opponents will be with top scorer Alfredo Morelos available.

‘Their home form has been magnificent and they have looked strong in Europe,’ he said. ‘Even when they have gone down to ten men, they have shown how strong they can be. ‘It is going to be a massive ask and may take a bit more than the semi-final as they have their strikers back.

‘Morelos has probably been their main player. He creates a lot of chances and scores goals. ‘We are going to need to be on our toes defensively but we have won at Ibrox before.

‘It is going to be very tough game but one that requires no motivation after losing a final.’

Aberdeen stayed in the Glasgow area after their Hampden defeat and trained at Clyde’s Broadwood Stadium yesterday.

‘The mood is very positive,’ said assistant manager Tony Docherty. ‘Of course there’s a disappointment at losing the cup final but you get through that disappointment together.

‘There is a real positivity about the performance we put in for the final. We’re disappointed not to win but when you analyse the game, I thought we had good organisation and shape, retained the ball well and carried a goal threat. I think the boys know that.’

Mackay-Steven will miss out after being hospitalised following a horrible clash of heads with Dedryck Boyata on Sunday. ‘There’s a process the medics do in such situations,’ said Docherty. ‘Gaz has to clear certain hurdles to make sure he’s ready to play again.

‘But he’s recovered and we saw him before he left (to go home). He was in good spirits.’