Ex-Celtic star, 37, returns to Scottish football as he goes back to ‘where I played the best part of my career'
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FORMER Celtic ace Niall McGinn is back in Scottish football.
The 37-year old has penned a one-year deal with Peterhead.
Sign up for the Celtic newsletter
Sign up
3
Niall McGinn was at Morton last season
Credit: Willie Vass
3
McGinn spent the bulk of a decade with Aberdeen
Credit: PA
3
He left Celtic in 2012
Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
McGinn spent three years with Celtic between 2009 and 2012, winning the Scottish Cup as a Hoops player.
Regular first team opportunities were hard to come by for the winger and he moved to Aberdeen where he spent the best part of a decade.
A League Cup winner with the Dons, McGinn made 358 appearances for the club across two spells either side of a short stint in South Korea with Gwangju in 2017.
McGinn joined Dundee in January 2022, leaving a year later.
He's spent the past two-and-a-half years with Glentoran in Northern Ireland, although he spent the last campaign back in Scotland on loan at Morton.
Now, he's back permanently in Scotland with Peterhead.
McGinn, who won 72 caps for Northern Ireland, bolsters a squad that is gearing up for the season in League One having been promoted as League Two champions.
The move sees him link up with the club's co-manager Jordon Brown who was an Aberdeen teammate.
Former Dons pals Cammy Smith and Peter Pawlett are also at Peterhead.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, McGinn revealed his delight at returning to the part of the country where he reckons he played his best football.
Celebrity Wrexham owner spotted in retro Celtic strip as he asks 'are they Catholics or Protestants'
He said: "Delighted to be back up in the North of Scotland in Aberdeenshire, back to where I played the best part of my career and enjoyed my football the most.
"It's great to join a club with ambition and off the back of a promotion last season. I'm familiar with the players such as Peter Pawlett and Cammy Smith and of course Jordon who I played with at Aberdeen also so I'm looking forward to getting together with the group."
Co-boss Brown added: "Niall needs no introduction and we are delighted that we have been able to add him to the group.
"He is a top pro who hasn't played at a lower level than the Championship in Scotland and has shown a commitment in moving back over to Aberdeen still with a top attitude to succeed.
"When we were aware of this opportunity it was one we couldn't pass up.
"The experience and goal threat Niall brings having been full time his whole career will be crucial in helping our young group and ticks that areas in particular where we were focused on improving.
"I'm sure we will all look forward to welcoming him to Balmoor."
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic star admits Scotland national team call-up is a target and says ‘I'm sure at some point it WILL happen'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE McCOWAN is living the dream at boyhood heroes Celtic. Now he's aiming to make a Scotland call-up a reality. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 5 Luke McCowan admits he is targeting a Scotland call-up Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 The midfielder won the Scottish title in his debut season at Parkhead Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 The ex-Dundee star says he's aiming to have a bigger role with the Hoops this term Credit: Kenny Ramsay The former Dundee midfielder achieved his career ambition just by signing for the club he's supported all his life. But McCowan, 27, is desperate for more, and would love to make the breakthrough into Steve Clarke's squad for the World Cup qualifiers. Asked if Scotland recognition was a target, he said: "Of course. "If it comes along, I'd be really honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country. "Just now, it's not happening. "But I'm sure that if I was to play well enough in the times ahead, it will hopefully come along for me. "Scotland is not something that I'm totally focused on. "I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I would be absolutely delighted. "That's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team. "It's outwith my control, I just need to keep doing what I have been doing, and if I can add numbers and more game time in the league this year, hopefully I'll get a chance. Nygren 'will be Hoops' best transfer this summer' plus Kuhn, Yamada latest | Celtic transfer special "You would always like to think that you have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland? "I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been performing at here, it will happen. "And if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it." McCowan is right to believe he CAN break into the Scotland set-up soon. He's proved at the champions he's got the technical ability to cope with top-level football. If he can play regularly for gaffer Brendan Rodgers this season then Clarke must consider giving him a chance in a Dark Blue jersey. McCowan added: "I'm feeling great. "It's good to get a pre-season and just work on the parts of my game that I need to improve on. "Hopefully by the time the league comes round I'll have improved, and I can use that going into the season." After making the move from Dens Park last August, McCowan played his part in Celtic's title-winning season. But he's determined to improve in the months and years ahead and get even better. McCowan said: "Every day is a learning day, and you want to take as much information as you can when you're playing with guys like Cal McGregor, Jamesy Forrest, and all the leaders in that dressing room. 5 "I just need to hopefully become as much of a leader as I can this year and have another good season. "You can't just go into a changing room full of league winners and cup winners and act like one of them. "You need to learn that from those guys. "I learned last year, and it's about learning again this year and using it as much as I can and using the experience from last year. "I'm feeling good going into pre-season. "And I believe I can improve again, 100 per cent. "If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing. "Every day is learning, I need to stay motivated and hope that this season could be even bigger than the one last year. "It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did last season. "It's about adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be. "I've always looked at my stats and used them as something to work on. "I've worked on it forever now, I've always done it and I believe that will continue this year. Aberdeen brutally troll EVERY Premiership rival with video including Celtic captain crying & Rangers TV's 'corrupt' clip "But it's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself, and making them better for the season ahead." McCowan took time off in Italy and Spain during the summer break — but was soon back training hard. He added: "You rest for three or four days and then your mind just goes. "You need to get a bit of sweat on and try and get back in there. "I was on the treadmills and pitches, but then you get the feet up as well, so it's nice." McCowan has admitted he's been left gutted by the exit of close pal Greg Taylor who has joined Greek outfit PAOK. They would regularly hang out at each other's homes — with the Hoops ace revealing he failed in his attempts to keep the left-back at Celts. McCowan said: "There's an empty space in the changing room — and an empty space in my living room! "We were always round each other's houses. "The two of us are the exact same, and it's sad as we both would have loved to play beside each other longer. 5 "But where Greg's career's taken him is a credit to himself, he's a really amazing person. "His family has been over with him as well, and I'm sure they will have a fantastic lifestyle there. "Greece will be a nice place to visit on holiday at some point, so I'm sure I will. "I tried to convince Greg to stay, of course I did. "But football is always moving and always changing. "He'll go on to that challenge with an open mind, and I'm sure he'll do great there." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Aberdeen snap up former PSG and Premier League starlet as he hails ‘huge club in Scotland and Europe'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABERDEEN have snapped up French attacking midfielder Adil Aouchiche on loan from Sunderland. The 22-year-old former PSG starlet has agreed a 12-month deal, and the Dons have an option to buy next summer. 3 Aberdeen have signed Sunderland midfielder Adil Aouchiche on loan Credit: Getty 3 He has played at youth level for France and European champions PSG Credit: Sportsfile 3 Jimmy Thelin hailed Aouchiche's attacking qualities and technical ability Credit: Willie Vass Ace Aouchiche, capped up to Under-20 level with France, has flown to meet Jimmy Thelin's squad in Portugal. He said: "It's a special feeling to sign for Aberdeen. "The best move for me is to come here. "Everyone knows that it's a huge club in Scotland and Europe. "I had a really positive and important talk with the manager, and he made me feel like I was wanted here. "I will try to bring everything to my team-mates. "I want to achieve things at Aberdeen and hopefully make some good memories." Dons boss Thelin wants to take his new-look squad to the next level ahead of guaranteed European league-phase football this term. He said: "We're delighted to welcome Adil to Aberdeen. "He's a technically gifted player who brings creativity and strong attacking instincts to our midfield. Aberdeen's Scottish Cup-winning heroes greeted by thousands on open top bus parade through the city after beating Celtic "At just 22, he has already played at a high level in France and in England. "Adil's experience, coupled with his desire to keep improving makes him a really exciting addition to the group, and we believe that this is a great environment for him to thrive." Meanwhile, Dons scout Erik Edman insists that they can lure top Scandinavian prospects by being a pathway to England. The ex-Spurs and Sweden star is also No 2 at Swedish minnows Hittarp. Edman said: "We want to be a bridge to England. "It's a selling point Aberdeen have, maybe. "As an example, we took Alexander Jensen last winter, who played for Brommapojkarna at right-back. "He has been very good with us. "The Scandinavian mentality is quite similar to the Scottish one, in terms of culture and the level. "It happens very rarely an Allsvenskan player goes straight to the Premier League. "The intermediate step is often very useful from a career perspective." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic ‘considering' swoop for highly-rated defender as Brendan Rodgers tips surprise name for prominent role
CELTIC have only just added to their defence with the signing of Hayato Inamura on Friday. But the Scottish champions are already being linked with another addition to bolster their backline. 2 Brendan Rodgers and Celtic are reportedly targeting another defensive signing Credit: PA 2 Young centre-back Dane Murray could be in line for a bigger role in the coming season Credit: Kenny Ramsay Inamura, who was announced just before the Hoops' 1-0 friendly victory over Queen's Park on Friday, will provide competition in central defence. But he might not be the only new arrival in that position. That's as Stephen McGowan of Celtic Way is reporting that Celts are considering a move for Famalicao defender Justin de Haas. The £3million-rated Dutchman has reportedly caught the eye with impressive displays in Portugal, with Celtic not the only European side to scout him. The 25-year-old is described as being of interest to the Parkhead side as a replacement for the outgoing Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh, with the latter two players expected to join Nawrocki in leaving this summer. And de Haas isn't the only central defender who could be in line for a prominent role in Brendan Rodgers' plans. That's as the Hoops boss has earmarked academy graduate Dane Murray as a potential option throughout the coming season. Murray made his first-team debut last season, coming off the bench in the Champions League against Aston Villa and playing the full match against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup. The 22-year-old started Friday's friendly, and clearly impressed Rodgers enough to put himself in the frame for a support role this term. Rodgers said: "We've got Auston [Trusty], we've got [Liam] Scales. Nygren 'will be Hoops' best transfer this summer' plus Kuhn, Yamada latest | Celtic transfer special "I think we'll definitely look to bring in another one. "But I would always look for our own first. "Hopefully, if Dane can stay fit and be available, then he's one that can be in and around it." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
