McGinn: CLINICAL PSYGOALOGY
We’ve shown we can go toe-to-toe with Gers .. we just need
Niall McGinn insists Aberdeen don’t need to prove they can go toe-to-toe with Rangers. All they need is to be more clinical.
Despite finishing in second spot last season Derek McInnes’ men took just one point from 12 in the four league games against Gers.
The Dons kick off the new season today against Steven Gerrard’s men in the Granite City – and McGinn knows they need to change the record.
He said: “People are always going to talk up the Old Firm clubs while we’ve just gone about our business.
“We’ve shown over the course of the last few seasons that we’ve been the second best team in Scotland.
“We have always gone toe-to-toe with Rangers.
“Last year we beat them at Ibrox for the first time in 26 years and we’ve shown we are good enough.
“By finishing second in the league, two years in a row, it shows we’ve been the better team over the course of the season.
“We just need to be more clinical against them – and obviously keep the ball out of our net.
“We need to keep the mentality and show it against them again – and there’s no better opportunity than in the opening match of the season.
“We have to make sure Rangers know they are in a tough game.”
Aberdeen have to overcome the disappointment of an early Euro exit at the hands of Burnley.
The Dons earned huge plaudits for their brave battle at Turf Moor before crumbling in extra-time.
McGinn was proud of the performance – and is glad they go straight into another massive match.
He said: “You enjoy playing against Rangers and Celtic, the big games.
“Against Burnley last week was one of the best atmospheres I’ve played in at Pittodrie.
“Even when we’re on the road, we always bring a great support so it always feels like a good atmosphere.
“You’ve got the Steven Gerrard factor and new players who – like us – will still be gelling.
“It’s a huge game and the clubs are big rivals. It’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere and the players want to be part of it.
“Last season we were obviously disappointed not to beat Rangers.
“So there could be no better start to the league campaign than having them at home.”
The 31-year-old wideman believed the Dons were on the verge of a major Battle of Britain shock in midweek.
Having gone a goal down at Turf Moor due to Chris Wood’s early strike the Reds ral lied bril liantly and snatched a stunning equaliser when Lewis Ferguson scored with a superb overhead kick.
However, Jack Cork’s header and a controversial Ashley Barnes penalty in extra-time saw the Lancashire side run out 3-1 winners to clinch a 4-2 aggregate win.
McGinn said: “After conceding so early we reacted the right way and had enough chances to make the tie go our way.
“Even when the draw was made we had to believe we could do it – even if Burnley are a great side playing in the English Premier League.
“We’d shown in the past that we could go to places like Gronigen and Rijeka and put in a good shift.
“Over the two legs we played very well, defended well at times and took some of our chances.
“Overall, we have to be disappointed in the result but when we look back there will be positives from the games.
“They’ve been good for us fitness-wise and to show we can compete at this level.
“It’s a sore one to lose out in Europe but we have to dust ourselves down.
“The good thing is we’ve now got a big game against Rangers to get back on track.”
McGinn has also been impressed by Ferguson’ s contribution so far. He said : “Lewis
has settled in very quickly. “He scored a goal in preseason and then again on Thursday night.
“He’s young and sti l l learning, but he has come in and hasn’t looked out of place in the games against Burnley.
“He’s a good player for us to have in the squad.
“He has to use experiences like Thursday night to help him in the long run and help him stake a claim for a place in the team.”