Niall McGinn insists he can handle the workload as he swaps club for country tonight.
The Aberdeen forward is on international duty with Northern Ireland as they step up their preparations for the European championship finals in France next month by facing Belarus in a friendly at Windsor Park tonight.
McGinn’s football calendar has been full for the past two seasons due to international commitments. He was in South Africa in June 2014 before joining the Dons’ European campaign and was part of the Irish squad for the goalless draw with Romania in June last year.
An even busier summer awaits, with McGinn heading off with his countrymen to France for Euro 2016 before rejoining Aberdeen for next season’s Europa League campaign which starts on June 30.
The 28 year-old, however, insists the year-long commitments have not taken their toll.
He said: “The games have come thick and fast these last couple of years but I’m a professional and I like being part of the team environment. I thrive on playing games.
“I’ve always enjoyed the international break and it will mean so much to be part of the big games in France against some of the best players in the world. If we do well we’ll be putting our names on the international map.
“My full focus will be on helping Northern Ireland go as far as we can but I’ll be ready to do my bit for Aberdeen as soon as I return.
“The players here will give their all whether I’m there or not and Europe has been great for the club in the last couple of years. We have been involved in some really good ties and want to take it further by getting to the group stages.”
If Northern Ireland progress to the knockout stages in France McGinn could miss the start of the Dons’ European campaign.
Should a scenario come to pass McGinn knows he will be absent with his club manager’s blessing but has backed the Dons to cope without him.
He said: “Derek McInnes has always been great with me in terms of giving me time off to rest whenever he can do, so he’s happy with the situation.
“He has got a couple of new faces in already and I’m sure there will be more which will benefit us with an early start for Europe and Rangers coming back up to the top flight, too.
“The manager has got the other players at the club signed on long-term deals and he has brought in players in the last couple of years to make a strong squad.”
