McGinn hopes to lead the line in crunch Ibrox clash

Niall McGinn would relish the opportunity to lead the line for Aberdeen and help end their goalscoring woes.

The Dons have struggled to find the back of the net this season with only 16 goals in their opening 13 games.

They head to Ibrox to face top-ofthe-table Rangers this evening without their top goalscorer Gary MackaySteven, who has found the back of the net on six occasions this term.

Aberdeen’s frontmen have toiled in front of goal with Sam Cosgrove and James Wilson having only scored twice, while Stevie May has one goal in 16 appearances.

McGinn was deployed as a centre forward during his first season with the Dons and went on to be named the club’s player of the season for the 2012-13 campaign after notching 21 goals and would thrive on the chance to be Aberdeen’s leading man once again.

He said: “If I was asked to play up front I would definitely do that.

“But it has been one of those ones since the manager’s 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.

“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.

“It turned out to be a good season for me.

“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.”

The Dons return to action for the first time since Sunday’s Betfred Cup final defeat by Celtic when they take on Rangers at Ibrox.

Steven Gerrard’s side will be brimming with confidence after moving top of the Premiership with a 2-1 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

But McGinn sees no reason why the Dons can’t record another victory over the Gers, having knocked them out of the Betfred Cup with a 1-0 victory at Hampden in October.

The Northern Ireland international said: “Their home form has been magnificent this season and they have looked strong in Europe. Even when they have gone down to 10 men, they have shown how strong they can be.

He said: “It is going to be very tough game but one that requires no motivation after losing a final.”