Watch Aberdeen ace Niall McGinn smash a stunning half-volley against USA in Northern Ireland friendly defeat

He’s been less than prolific this season and only scored once for Aberdeen – but winger Niall McGinn’s first goal since November was well worth the wait.

Northern Ireland's midfielder Niall McGinn (L) shoots to score their first goal during the international friendly football match between Northern Ireland and the United States at Windsor Park in Belfast on March 28, 2021. - USA won the game 2-1. (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)

The 33-year-old’s stunner was only a consolation, but it would have been worthy of winning any match – and will surely be a contender for Northern Ireland’s goal of the season.

It came in the closing stages of a 2-1 home friendly international defeat for Ian Barraclough’s side against Team USA who led through Giovanni Reyna and a Christian Pulisic penalty.

It didn’t alter the outcome, but it certainly raised a smile for the green and white army as he lashed in a flick-on from captain for the night, Kyle Lafferty.

McGinn has now scored twice for his country this season – but just once for the struggling Dons. He struck against St Mirren in November but it certainly wasn’t as spectacular as this latest volley.

At an acute angle, the Aberdeen man sent a powerful half-volley wickedly dipping over goalkeeper Zack Steffen at Windsor Park to reduce the arrears.

Northern Ireland fielded a much-changed line-up with Kilmarnock’s Lafferty leading the line and captaining the side in the absence of Rangers’ Steven Davis.

Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard was also given his first run out in three years for his national side, who went down 2-0 to Italy in Parma last week and face Bulgaria on Wednesday night.

Manager Ian Barraclough will be hoping McGinn’s shooting form holds up for the World Cup qualifier.

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