Source: FOOTYMAD
Good a time as any to make a comeback
Niall McGinn would like to make his Old Firm debut this Sunday Niall McGinn is hoping that Sunday's Old Firm game will be the place for dramatic comeback from injury. McGinn has yet to feature for this season, after battling back to fitness following five months on the sidelines with a broken metatarsal. He played in Northern Ireland's games against Italy and the Faroe Islands, as well as a friendly against Falkirk in midweek. The 23-year-old has told boss Neil Lennon he is now fit and ready for action if called upon and believes Sunday's derby would be the ideal occasion to finally put his injury woes behind him. He said: "It's always good when a derby match against Rangers comes around. Every time the fixtures come out, it's probably the first one I look for. I've been on the bench at one of the games but have still to play in one. Hopefully, come Sunday, I am on the bench again and with a bit of luck I will get some game-time. It would be unbelievable. I grew up watching the Glasgow derby, so the opportunity to play in one would be unbelievable. If I get the opportunity to play, I'll just enjoy every minute of it but, more important, is having a win at the end of it." Celtic and Rangers head into the game locked on the same points at the top of the league, with both clubs recording 100% records in the league so far, and McGinn is well aware of the importance of continuing that record with a win this weekend. He said: "It's a massive thing. Both teams are in good form. I felt on Sunday we deserved to win against Dundee United, we were the better team, and it was good to see Gary Hooper get some goals as well. I'm just looking forward to the match and hopefully I get the opportunity to play." As well as his involvement with the national team, McGinn netted twice in the 3-0 win over Falkirk at Westfield on Tuesday. He said: "I was delighted to get back scoring again and get my confidence back. I was also glad the manager was there watching and he seemed pleased after the game. So I enjoyed it and to get another 90 minutes under my belt and score two goals was pleasing as well. I felt good throughout the game and I was also glad to see Paddy McCourt score as well. Hopefully we'll both be in contention come the Rangers game at the weekend. Obviously your fitness can take care of itself due to all the training you are doing but playing games will help your sharpness. Match fitness is different from natural fitness as well, so you need to get working on that and thankfully getting the games with Danny McGrain and at international level have both come at the right time. My fitness is good at the minute and I'll just play it by ear just now and continue to work hard and, hopefully, keep making the bench and get the opportunity to get on and impress."
