Niall McGinn excited for another chance to play at Celtic Park

Niall McGinn is relishing another appearance at Celtic Park as Dundee bid to upset the odds against the cinch Premiership leaders.

The Northern Ireland international scored several times for Aberdeen against his former club at Parkhead and believes Dundee can build on recent wins when they go there on Sunday.

“I love it,” the 34-year-old said. “As a professional footballer you like playing in these big arenas.

“I have been quite fortunate in my career, being an international I have got to play in many a great stadium.

“It’s always great to go to Celtic Park, and Ibrox, Tynecastle, hostile environments. These are the games you want to be involved in.

“I have scored a few times at Celtic Park playing against Celtic. Obviously I scored for Celtic.

“I have always enjoyed going there. It’s always a nice atmosphere and an environment where players get an extra lift and can go there and showcase themselves.”

Dundee travel to Glasgow on the back of a significant week. After reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Monday thanks to a second consecutive win, the club sacked manager James McPake two days later before replacing him with Mark McGhee.

The players were as surprised as anyone to see McPake leave but they are now focusing on life with McGhee and new assistant manager Simon Rusk, who watched Celtic lose 3-1 to Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt after being appointed on Thursday.

McGinn said: “We have to believe. We are coming off the back of a couple of wins and the boys are confident.

“You know any time you go to Celtic Park you are going to have to give up a lot of possession and defend well and keep chances to a minimum for as long as possible.

“We are going to have to be brave in possession, we have to be cute, we have