Begin The McGinn
Wed, Nov 11 2009
Celtic's Niall McGinn has praised the Northern Ireland supporters for the great reception he has received since pulling on the green shirt for his country.
McGinn has won the hearts of the GAWA, especially since his tremendous performance in Prague last month.
"The fans have been brilliant towards me," McGinn told the Belfast Telegraph.
"There hasn't been a single problem for me to do with playing for Celtic.
"They have always been 100 per cent behind me and for someone like me who is just at the start of their international career, that's a big help.
"They've cheered me in every home game and against the Czech Republic in Prague last month I could hear them getting louder every time I got the ball and that pushed me on.
"I hope they give me that again against Serbia on Saturday night."
It's not two years since Niall McGinn was playing for Dungannon Swifts before moving on to Derry City. It's been a tremendous turn of events as only weeks after joining the Candystripes he was called over to Celtic. Worthington wasn't going to ignore that and he made his debut against Hungary a year ago. He's been firing on all cylinders for the Hoops this season, scoring a fortnight ago in a 3-0 home win against Kilmarnock.
As a childhood Celtic fan McGinn is in his element and wouldn't have believed he'd be playing European football so early in his career, never mind for his country. After leaving the Czech defense for dust last month, McGinn is keen to do even better against Serbia.
"Everything has been on the up for me and I hope it continues that well," said McGinn.
"It's been an unbelievable year since I made my Northern Ireland debut against Hungary last November, I have five caps now, I started last month and I was pleased with how I played.
"Hopefully I've done enough to keep my place in the team for the match against Serbia on Saturday night.
"If I start I'll be wanting to put in another good performance and hopefully my first goal for Northern Ireland will come along sooner rather than later."
"Things are going well for me football wise and off the pitch and confidence helps a lot," said McGinn.
There is a good chance team mate Paddy McCourt will also start on Saturday. Paddy McCourt has been raising eyebrows at Celtic and is set to have a firm future ahead both for his club and country.
For those of you that haven't seen it yet, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZVxSQNN88&NR=1
Quality.
A thigh injury has left Gareth McAuley out of Saturdays squad but Doncaster's Dean Shiels has been recalled and will be keen to make an appearance.
home
