Maddison’s avenue to taking over free kicks

AFC: McGinn willing to share responsibility with youngster

Niall McGinn got used to being Aberdeen’s set-piece specialist – but there was no one happier than the Northern Ireland international when James Maddison so memorably curled home a last-minute winner against Rangers on Sunday.

McGinn has already scored one free kick this season – a delightful effort to help the Dons to a 2-1 victory against Partick Thistle at Pittodrie in August.

But he had been substituted by manager Derek McInnes when James Tavernier was penalised for a trip on Jonny Hayes 25 yards from goal in the final minute on Sunday.

On-loan Norwich City midfielder Maddison assumed the responsibility with a sublime shot that kissed the post on its way into the net beyond a despairing Wes Foderingham to seal a memorable Pittodrie win for Aberdeen.

The Dons must build on that success when they face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this afternoon and McGinn knows there is now stern competition to get on free kick duty.

McGinn said: “In recent weeks, both James and I have been practising. I scored one a few weeks ago and he scored against Rangers.

“There are positions on the pitch where different players will fancy their chances and I’m sure there’ll be chances where me, him or Kenny McLean will be hitting them for different reasons.

“There’ll be no fall-outs, it was just unbelievable to see him score that one on Sunday.

“Who takes the free kick depends on a few different reasons, such as how they’re playing in the game or how they’re feeling.

“I was off the pitch when we got the free kick against Rangers.

“James is a confident lad and he’s shown his ability since coming to the club and for him to take responsibility and do that in the last minute of the game was sensational.”

The 29- year- old, who was included in Michael O’Neill’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Germany, believes opposition teams will be very wary of conceding free kicks to Aberdeen in the final third.

He added: “It can’t be a good thing for our opponents if they don’t know who’s taking them.

“We are delighted tohave players of the calibre of Kenny and James.

“We’ll always be confident to have a go. Whoever it may be, he’ll always step up and hopefully score a few more.”

“There’ll be no fall-outs, it was just unbelievable to see him score on Sunday”

TEAM PLAYER: Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn says he has no issue with splitting set-piece duties with James Maddison or Kenny McLean