Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn will face his former club Celtic in next month’s Scottish Cup decider after a thrilling 3-2 semi-final defeat of Hibernian at Hampden Park on Saturday.
The 29-year-old had been doubtful for the clash with Neil Lennon’s side due to a groin injury but Dons boss Derek McInnes admitted the player felt he was fit enough to earn a place on the substitutes bench.
“Niall decided he was good to go,” said McInnes,” but we were concerned he did not have more than an hour in him.
“We had to decide, do we start with him and Graeme (Shinnie) who was also a doubt? We didn’t want to be losing two players and having to make two substitutions if they didn’t come through it.”
In the end, McGinn came on for the final 20 minutes as the Dons set up a repeat of this season’s League Cup Final which Brendan Rodgers outfit won 3-0 back in November.
Meanwhile, in England, former Northern Ireland under-21 striker Rory Donnelly scored only his second goal of the season in Gillingham’s 3-2 defeat at home to Conor McLaughlin’s Fleetwood Town, who still have a chance of automatic promotion from League One going into their final game of the campaign at home to Port Vale next Sunday.
Conor’s brother Ryan was celebrating though after Oldham Athletics’ point at home to Rochdale at the weekend secured their place in League One for next term.
On-loan striker Dion Charles was the only other Northern Ireland player to find his name on the scoresheet after he made it two in two games for FC Halifax Town who defeated Curzon Ashton 3-0 in the National League North.
Elsewhere, Queens Park Rangers forward Conor Washington, who has seven goals to his credit this term, thought he had added to his tally in the 3-1 London-derby defeat to Brentford at Griffin Park.
Washington felt his header had crossed the line at the back post, however, Bees defender Yoann Barbot jumped to head clear when it appeared to have been over the goal-line, but both referee and the assistant on the far side carried on with play.
“We thought it went over the line.” stated Hoops defender James Perch, “the net seemed to ripple, and we were told that, too!
“So we thought it was in, the whole ball has gone over the line, but the referee didn’t think so and we had to take it on the chin.
“That’s a couple of goals now that goal-line technology could have cleared up for us.
“But it’s tough to take, we think it’s gone in, Conor thinks it’s gone in and we weren’t given it. We can’t dwell on it, of course.”
Finally, in League Two, 18-year-old attacking midfielder Mark McKee was given his first start for Stevenage who remain in a play-off position despite losing 1-0 at home to Mansfield Town who are now just a point behind them in eighth place with two games to play.
Stevenage manager Darren Sarll was pleased with how under-19 international McKee, who signed his first professional deal with the club earlier this season, played in what was a crucial contest against one of their closest rivals for a play-off spot.
Sarll said : “Mark has waited a long time for that and I thought he acquitted himself very well, especially early on.
“It is one of the best things about being the manager of the football club, giving young players their opportunity.”
Pic: SNS Group.
