St Johnstone v Aberdeen: McGinn hails team form

Niall McGinn celebrates after scoring his second goal of the match. Picture: SNS

McGinn struck twice at Easter Road on Monday and also hit the post along with Adam Rooney as Aberdeen moved three points clear in second place in the Scottish Premiership.

Aberdeen were in total command from McGinn’s 13th-minute strike and the Northern Ireland international is in confident mood ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup last-four clash at Ibrox after the Dons ended a run of three consecutive 1-1 draws.

McGinn said: “Even these last few weeks when we have been drawing a lot of games we have still been playing well.

“The manager has definitely got us playing good football and there’s a good spirit about the squad as well.

“It was an important win for us with the semi-final coming up so we are going in full of confidence.”

McGinn had not scored in more than three months before netting the equaliser against Dundee United two games earlier but he showed real belief with his finishes.

The former Celtic player floated a left-footed shot over Ben Williams from long range for the opener and fired the second in off the bar with the outside of his right boot.

“It was good to get on the scoresheet with two good finishes,” the 26-year-old said. “It gives you a right buzz and a lot of confidence.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole game and could have had more if the one off the post had gone in.

“But the most important thing for the team was to bounce back from the Hearts result last week and get the three points.

“With Motherwell slipping up at the weekend it was a chance for us to slip ahead.”