DEREK McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, is set to move for former player Niall McGinn whose move to Korean football has turned sour.
The Northern Ireland winger left Pittodrie in the summer, after five seasons at the club, for Gwangju in the K League.
But with his new team bottom of the table, and McGinn having made just four starts so far, there is a real chance of a return to Aberdeen for the 30-year-old, at least on a temporary basis, until the South Korean season starts next March.
“We were always aware that Niall’s league finished up in November,” McInnes said, “I have kept in touch with him. Whether it’s a possibility remains to be seen but he’s a good player, someone who was excellent for us in the past.
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“I don’t think it has been the most enjoyable stint for him over there so far, and if we got any encouragement that he could be available for loan in January then it’s something we would look at.
“If he has the enthusiasm to do it, and it could happen, then it’s something we would enjoy and I’m sure our supporters would love it too.
“We enjoyed working with Niall, he is very well thought of here and rightly so because of his high level of performances.”
McGinn, signed by the-then Aberdeen manager Craig Brown,in 2012, was tempted by the lure of a big-money deal in South Korea’s sixth largest city last summer.
He has been praised by his manager, Kim Hak-bum but has been unable to make an impact and Hearts, who targeted him before he left for the Far East, could also be interested in offering him a Scottish berth.
But McInnes would feel confident of landing him should he become available.
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“He’s a different type to what we have now,” he said “So someone with his experience and ability would always be attractive, especially having worked with him before.”
Malky Mackay’s tenure as Scotland manager, meanwhile, may have been temporary but McInnes was not in the mood to allow his decision to exclude Graeme Shinnie from his line-up in his one and only game in charge to pass without comment.McInnes, keen to keep the heat on
Premiership leaders Celtic by ensuring that Motherwell leave Pittodrie empty-handed tomorrow, believes Mackay was mistaken to leave Shinnie kicking his heels on the substitutes’ bench during Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands in the Granite City last week.
The Aberdeen manager was pleased that two of his midfielders, Ryan Christie and Kenny McLean, were in the international side, however, and insists they will continue to make an impact for the Scots, given he opportunity.
“I was frustrated Graeme didn’t get on the pitch because I think he should have got a chance and I’m sure he will eventually,” said McInnes.
“But it would have been a nice touch because I think half the crowd turned up to see him play. “It would have been appropriate for him to get that first opportunity to play for his country at Pittodrie.
“It is a huge step forward for us as a club to have three players involved in a Scotland squad and all three lads came back in on the Monday bouncing.
“Hopefully, by the time the new Scotland manager comes in, we will still have those three in the squad and maybe even one or two more of our players.”
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