McGinn say Dons are ‘due result’ against Hoops

Aberdeen attacking midfielder Niall McGinn believes the next fortnight will determine if the Dons can challenge Celtic for the Premiership title.

The Dons are nine points behind the leaders with 11 matches left ahead of tomorrow’s meeting at Pittodrie.

Derek McInnes’ Reds then travel to Motherwell on Wednesday before next weekend’s Scottish Cup tie against in-form Kilmarnock.

That is followed by games against Partick Thistle and Dundee.

McGinn hopes a victory against the Hoops tomorrow could provide the platform for a winning run that could put the Dons in a position to challenge the Hoops, who are bidding for a seventh successive top flight title.

The Northern Ireland international said: “If we win it probably will put a bit of pressure on them and on other teams around us.

“We just want to go out and get the result. We are due a performance against them and we are due a result, especially after last weekend’s defeat at Hibernian.

“Celtic are out of Europe and they are going to concentrate on the league and the Scottish Cup.

“It could be a disadvantage for the rest of the teams like ourselves and Rangers, who are there or thereabouts.

“But it’s got the makings of an interesting couple of weeks.

“The next couple of weeks will dictate whether there’s going to be other teams close to that first place or not.”

Loan star Ryan Christie will sit out the clash with parent club Celtic.

Skipper Graeme Shinnie is also unavailable for the Pittodrie showdown as he completes a two-match ban.