McInnes big factor in McGinn decision

Frank Gilfeather
Saturday 18 May 2013

Niall McGinn has acknowledged the role Derek McInnes's arrival at Aberdeen played in his decision to extend his contract with the Pittodrie club until 2016.

The forward has by his own admission enjoyed his best return to date, having scored 20 goals ahead of today's final game of the campaign at home to Hearts.

However, Aberdeen still finished in the lower half of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and the potential for both team and personal progress under McInnes was a major factor in persuading McGinn to commit. The Northern Ireland international said: "I think the manager's ideas and the fact I've enjoyed working with him the last four weeks played a big part.

"It's been the best season of my career, scoring so many goals and doing well on the international stage as well. But the manager has made it clear we want to do well in the league, make a bigger impression in the cups and get this club back into Europe.

"Those are the sort of things I want to achieve here and I feel we can do that with the mix of experienced players and the promising young players we have. I'm sure the manager will bring in the right quality of new players in the summer, too, and that will help us achieve those ambitions."

McGinn's decision to stay is a major boost for McInnes, who has released seven out-of-contract first-team players, with others possibly set to follow. The manager said: "When I first spoke to the board the priority was who to bring in, but it quickly became apparent that a long-term deal for Niall was even more important.

"We want to attract players to the club of Niall's level and this will help. Players want to play with quality players and if Niall can keep progressing like he has then we will have a top player on our hands. The job is to bring in a few more to share the burden because we have been a bit too reliant on him this season."

It was Craig Brown, McInnes's predecessor, who insisted McGinn convert from winger to striker and the switch paid off handsomely. "The season has gone much better on a personal level than I would have hoped for. I have definitely surprised myself and a few others," McGinn said. "That is something that I want to build on as there's no point going on and having an iffy season next time."

Taken from the Herald