McGinn raring to lift Celtic

Posted Saturday, November 06, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

GLASGOW (AFP) - Celtic will be looking to return to the top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday as they take on Aberdeen in their Scottish Premier League match.

The Hoops trail league leaders Rangers by one point but host the Dons at Parkhead 24 hours before their rivals are away to St Mirren.

Neil Lennon's side's only slip-up this season came in the Old Firm derby and their 3-0 win over St Johnstone last weekend helped them reduce the gap at the top of the table.

One player who is desperate to face the Dons this weekend is Niall McGinn. The Northern Ireland international was sidelined for six months with a broken foot but has scored three times in two games since returning and is keen to keep the run going.

"To get 90 minutes twice last week was great for me, too. I am feeling great, feeling fit and to be scoring goals as well is a huge bonus," McGinn said.

"I will, though, get my fitness levels back up by playing games. I'm loving being involved at the minute and can hopefully continue to hold down a place and get more games in the weeks to come."

A win for the Hoops could depose rival Rangers from the top spot before they take to the field against bottom of the table St Mirren on Sunday.

The Ibrox club suffered their first loss of the season in midweek in the 3-0 Champions League defeat to Valencia after going 15 games unbeaten.

It came on the back of last weekend's draw against Inverness which ended their 100 percent winning start to the SPL campaign.

But defender Kirk Broadfoot is confident they can return to winning ways against his former club on Sunday.

"You suffer disappointments in football and you have to get over them and that's exactly what we will do in this instance," Broadfoot said.

"It wasn't a nice experience losing by three goals in Spain. But we've got to remember we have made a fantastic start to the season and it's important we get back to winning ways this weekend.

"I know from my own time at St Mirren how much you raise your game for the visit of either half of the Old Firm.

"They enjoyed a good result at the weekend when they defeated Aberdeen and they'll be right up for this one."

Also on Sunday Hibernian host Hearts at Easter Road in the first Edinburgh derby of the season.

New manager Colin Calderwood is still looking for his first points since taking over as Hibs boss after suffering defeats to Aberdeen and Dundee United.

Hearts were also on the wrong side of a defeat to Kilmarnock last weekend but know a win against their Edinburgh rivals could lift them into third spot and plunge Hibs into the relegation zone.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is looking forward to the match.

"It's the perfect game to get everyone lifted and a win there will go a wee bit to helping us get over the disappointment of Kilmarnock," the Jambos boss said.

Elsewhere on Saturday struggling Hamilton welcome Dundee United to New Douglas Park.

It is third versus fourth as Motherwell make the trip north to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Only a point separates Kilmarnock from their hosts St Johnstone as the sides prepare to clash at McDiarmid Park.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Aberdeen

Hamilton v Dundee United

Inverness CT v Motherwell

St Johnstone v Kilmarnock

Sunday

St Mirren v Rangers (1200)

Hibernian v Hearts (1415)