McGinn hopes to miss out on Dons Euro bid
NIALL McGinn admits he won’t be too downhearted if he misses Aberdeen’s Europa League opener next month ... because it will mean he and his Northern Ireland team-mates have made it to the knockout stages of Euro 2016.
The ex-Celtic winger will have just one week off after tomorrow’s final Premiership game of this season at home to Ross County.
Then it’s straight into preparations for his country’s first appearance at a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.
Michael O’Neill’s side will carry the dreams of a nation in a tough group including Germany, Poland and the Ukraine.
With its new, increased format of 24 teams, the tournament in France won’t even reach the quarter-finals until June 30, which is the same night the Dons start their Continental campaign.
McGinn is determined to help his club qualify for the group stage at the third time of asking, but is naturally still hoping to be involved at the sharp end of Euro 2016 when Derek McInnes’ men take the first step.
‘My fingers are crossed that I’m not back for our first Europa League tie as that will mean Northern Ireland are still in the European Championships,’ he said.
‘If I’m still over there playing football in France when Aberdeen are playing in a qualifier, then I can’t complain too much.
‘I’ve only got a week off before I join up with the squad but I’ll just enjoy every moment of the experience now that we’ve finally made it.
‘Derek McInnes has always been great with me in terms of giving me time off to rest whenever he can, so he’s happy with the situation.
‘My full focus will be on helping Northern Ireland go as far as we can but I’ll be ready to do my bit for Aberdeen as soon as I return.
‘The boys here will give their all whether I’m there or not and Europe has been great for the club in the last couple of years.
‘We have been involved in some really good ties and want to get to the group stages.’
Ross County’s Liam Boyce, by contrast, is just trying to make sure he’s part of Michael O’Neill’s plans — and knows the next seven or eight days are pivotal to his chances.
A goal from the bench against Motherwell in midweek marked a timely return to scoring form for the 19-goal striker, but another one or two at Pittodrie tomorrow would be priceless.
After the match, he’ll embark on a road trip back to Belfast and join a flight to Manchester on Monday for the training camp that will cement O’Neill’s finals squad.
The trip to Aberdeen is far from a meaningless end-of-season exercise for the former Cliftonville and Werder Bremen frontman.
‘It wasn’t the greatest goal (against Motherwell) but I’d take it every week,’ said Boyce.
‘I haven’t had many chances in recent matches. I just wanted to get the ball in the net to take that weight off my shoulders.
‘I started the season well, scoring regularly right up to Christmas when I broke my hand.’
Northern Ireland have friendlies at home to Belarus on May 27 and then away to Slovakia on June 4 — eight days before the Euro opener against Poland — to further shape O’Neill’s thoughts. The chance to be part of history with his country amounts to the stuff of dreams — and Boyce will feel like a schoolboy trialist in Manchester. ‘I’ve been with Michael O’Neill in a few squads and he’s come to watch me here at Ross County, but I think he would like to see how I look among the squad next week,’ added Boyce. ‘It’s a bit like when you were a young boy and your contract was up. You have those last couple of weeks to prove what you can do. ‘I just want to go in, do really well in the last bit of training and cement my name. ‘It’s going to be a tough group, but when you’re Northern Ireland, it’s like that even in qualifying. Nobody expects you to really do anything. ‘It suits the way we play. Everyone works for each other. You go into matches as underdogs. ‘We’ve been doing that throughout the whole qualifying campaign. ‘It’s absolutely huge in terms of what it means to the country. ‘Those who were part of past qualifying success in the World Cup are still legends, people like Gerry Armstrong — he’s everywhere and all you hear is him on Sky. ‘That’s how big it is, you automatically become a legend.’