Aberdeen milestone man Niall McGinn can see why Sam Cosgrove is being talked up as Adam Rooney’s successor.
Cosgrove scored his 19th goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Hamilton Accies on Saturday, which led to manager Derek McInnes comparing his influence to that of Rooney during his early days at Pittodrie.
McGinn has played with both frontmen and set up Cosgrove’s goal at the weekend. He acknowledges the 23-year-old still has room to grow but is appreciative that he seems to be picking up Rooney’s knack of delivering important goals.
McGinn said: “Similarities at the moment is obviously goals. Rooney was one of the best strikers I’d played with in the six-yard box.
“He always came up with good moments and was always involved in those 1-0 wins.
“He was a joy for me and Jonny to play with and we knew if we’d get the ball in the right areas, more than not he’d get the goals.
“Sam is a bit more physical and is still learning the game. But over the last year and a half he’s been excellent for us.
“He’s kicked on this season and long may his form continue in front of goal.
“He probably wasn’t involved as much as he would have liked against Hamilton but he came up with the winner.”
McGinn celebrated his 300th game for Aberdeen on Saturday, split across two spells and a brief stint in South Korea. McGinn was first brought to the Granite City by Craig Brown after leaving Celtic and has been a constant during McInnes’s seven-year tenure at the club.
He said: “It’s got my career back on track. Craig gave me a good opportunity and the current manager has had faith in me.
“I’ve played my most enjoyable football here and playing well for Aberdeen has enhanced my international career as well.
“It’s been a good fit for me and when you have that backing it does you the world for good.”