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Niall McGinn: Dons can mount challenge in league and cups this season

Niall McGinn
Niall McGinn

Niall McGinn believes Aberdeen are better equipped to challenge in all three domestic competitions this season.

The Dons finished second in the Scottish Premiership last season for the first time in more than two decades.

But the cups were a source of disappointment for the Reds, with their League Cup defence ending at the semi-final stage, while their Scottish Cup campaign faltered in the fourth round with a defeat by Dundee.

Ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership match at Partick Thistle, Northern Ireland international McGinn is optimistic his side can better last season’s record.

McGinn celebrates netting against Rijeka earlier this season
McGinn celebrates netting against Rijeka earlier this season

He said: “I think we are a stronger team with the additions the manager has brought in.

“Being realistic, we just want to keep improving every year and build on last season.

“The cups were a massive disappointment. We didn’t do as well as we would have liked, so a big priority is to do well in both cups.

“In the league, we are aiming to build on that consistency by keeping clean sheets, scoring goals and killing off games.

“We will keep working towards winning as many games as possible and see where that takes us come the end of the season.”

The Dons are aiming to equal a club record at Firhill this afternoon.

Victory would see Derek McInnes’ side emulate the title-winning Reds of 1984-85, who started the season with five successive victories.

McGinn said: “With the players we have and the team the manager has gelled together, I will not be surprised if we go and do it.

“I am surprised that it has been so long since that happened.

“Last season, losing the first game of the season was a massive disappointment. It would be nice to be part of the team if we manage to win our first five games.

“We know it will be a tough game as Partick Thistle had a disappointing result during the week against Falkirk. They will want to bounce back from that one.

“Partick try to play football the right way. We will need to bide our time and take our chances when they come along.

“We know we are more than capable of going there and getting a positive result.”