Source: Team_Talk
McGinn eager to step up comeback
Celtic's Niall McGinn faces a battle against time to be fit for the start of the new season and force his way into manager Neil Lennon's plans.[LNB] The winger suffered a metatarsal injury at the end of last season and will be working on his fitness while the rest of the squad are on their pre-season tour of North America.[LNB]McGinn, 22, is gutted to miss out on the trip but will focus instead on being back in action for the games that matter when the campaign gets under way for real.[LNB]He said: "It's disappointing. It happened in the last training session of last season so I didn't have the best of summers.[LNB]"But thankfully I got the all-clear last week so it's just about progressing from here.[LNB]"I should be back training in four to six weeks and hopefully I'll be back for the start.[LNB]"It's going to be hard but I just need to make sure that I'm coming back fit and healthy.[LNB]"It was a pre-season I was looking forward to, going to America for 10 days, playing in the Emirates Cup and then looking forward to the Champions League qualifiers.[LNB]"You grow up wanting to play against teams like Arsenal and Manchester United.[LNB]"It's disappointing but I'm thankful the injury has happened during pre-season and not at the beginning of the season when you're missing league games."[LNB]Northern Irishman Lennon impressed when he replaced Tony Mowbray at the helm on a caretaker basis at the end of last term and McGinn was thrilled to see him earn the job on a permanent basis.[LNB]He said: "It's good to see Neil Lennon getting the job.[LNB]"I grew up watching Neil Lennon as a fellow countryman so it was good to see him getting the job.[LNB]"There are going to be changes, with players coming in and players leaving."[LNB]McGinn expressed disappointment at former captain Stephen McManus' departure.[LNB]But he believes the switch to Middlesbrough will be a good career move for the defender, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Championship club.[LNB]"Stephen has gone and that's a big disappointment," added McGinn.[LNB]"He has been here for years. I'm sure he wanted something done and dusted and it has worked out well.[LNB]"He has gone down and will have a good pre-season with them after having had a good six months there.[LNB]"It's good that he will have the chance to push on with his own career."
