Dens Park is a happy hunting ground for Niall McGinn.
Which is why the Aberdeen forward is eager to play there this afternoon as his side aim to go into the international break with three more points from a successful four-match run during which they have taken seven points from three league games as well as securing progress in the League Cup.
McGinn, who had been offered the chance to take a break following the victory against Ross County two weeks ago, returned to action in the draw against St Mirren at Pittodrie on Tuesday night. He is now rubbing his hands at the thought of squaring up to Dundee, at whose home ground the Northern Irishman registered his first career hat trick. He would score a total of six goals in four games against the Dens Park side that season.
With 3000 Aberdeen fans expected to boost the Dens Park crowd today, it is an occasion which McGinn looks forward to with anticipation. "I was involved in two or three of those games when I first came to Aberdeen and the atmosphere was just brilliant," said the McGinn.
"I got my first professional hat trick at Dens Park and I've always enjoyed playing against Dundee and I've scored a lot of goals against them. You always look forward to derbies and to have Dundee back in the top league is great."
The experience has not been quite as positive for the Dundee players, who have suffered three consecutive defeats. That sequence has been made more uncomfortable given the competence which the Dens Park side showed at the start of the campaign and Kyle Letheren is eager for his team to return to that early form.
"We have had a few bad results in the last week," said the Dundee goalkeeper. "Ten days ago we were flying. We were the only unbeaten team in the league and everything was going really well.
"Three results later and it seems like you are in crisis but you're not. You just have to roll your sleeves up and go again."
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