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Mackay-Steven was called up to Alex McLeish's squad
DONS CATCH-UP

Aberdeen star Gary Mackay-Steven wants to hold talks with Derek McInnes in a bid to sort out his future

The 28-year-old has become a crucial player for the Dons since joining last year

GARY MACKAY-STEVEN would love it if they were raising a glass to him in Thurso on Saturday night.

The Aberdeen winger used to fill them in his younger days when he did shifts in the Newmarket Bar in his home town.

 Mackay-Steven was called up to Alex McLeish's squad
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Mackay-Steven was called up to Alex McLeish's squadCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

And he hopes he can be toasted for helping Scotland to a crucial Uefa Nations League win in Albania.

Mackay-Steven couldn’t be in better form as he keeps everything crossed for a third cap in Shkoder.

The 28-year-old is one of the most important players for Dons manager Derek McInnes and has been superb in their current run of four straight wins, scoring a magnificent winner against Hibernian last week.

Now former Dundee United and Celtic ace GMS wants to turn it on for his country too — and make folk back in Thurso even more proud of him.

 The attacker is delighted to be part of the squad
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The attacker is delighted to be part of the squadCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

He said: “I’m feeling good and scoring goals, so it’s obviously a great opportunity for me coming here.

“I’m really happy to be part of the squad.

“There’s always pressure, but it’s how you deal with it and take it in.

“I feel great at Aberdeen and enjoy the responsibility of being a player asked to create and score goals. I feel comfortable and I’m just enjoying my football.

“I’m looking to impress for Scotland this week. Playing every week is key. You build confidence and get into a rhythm. You feel better with everything.

“There’s some really good players here, but you’ve got to have faith in your own ability. I’m thankful to get another opportunity.

“There are a lot of Scotland fans where I’m from and they go down to the games, although I don’t think there will be any in Albania. Maybe there will be a few.

“But there’s a bus that goes to all the home games. Quite possibly there will be a few guys going who went to the pub I once worked in.

 Mackay-Steven has played with a number of his Scotland team-mates at club level
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Mackay-Steven has played with a number of his Scotland team-mates at club levelCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

“There aren’t too many pubs up there, it’s a small community. Everyone will be looking out for Scotland games.

“I’ve still got family there. My dad’s still in Thurso and I’ve a lot of my friends. I don’t get up all that much, but I still speak a lot to people.

“It was the Newmarket pub I worked in, although I can’t remember what age I was.”

GMS feels right at home with a Scotland squad that’s packed with close friends and team-mates from the past and the present.

He said: “It’s an easy squad for me to come into.

“I’ve played alongside most of the boys. I’m good mates with many of them. Even Johnny Russell, going back to my Dundee United days.

“It’s nice to catch up with a lot of those guys who have gone on their own career paths. They’re all doing well and it’s good to be with them again this week.”

Meanwhile, Mackay-Steven spoke about his own future, with his Aberdeen contract up next summer.

 GMS has been a crucial part of Aberdeen's squad
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GMS has been a crucial part of Aberdeen's squadCredit: Alamy Live News

A month from now he’ll be in a position to open talks with other interested clubs.

And he said: “It’s one of those things I’ve not really thought about. All I’m doing is thinking about the next game.

“I’m sure there will be a time when I sit down with the manager and talk.

“It’s not happened yet, but I’m certain it will happen in the future.”

Dons manager McInnes has become a big influence on Mackay-Steven’s game.

And GMS doesn’t get too upset with occasional harsh assessments of critics who see him as a so-called ‘luxury’ player.

He said: “All wingers at one point or another get labelled that.

“Certainly I try tricks and stuff like that and it doesn’t always come off.

“But ultimately you want to be trying things, to create situations, so I don’t think I’ll ever change my game.


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“Obviously, I’ve added different things to my game over the years.

“At Aberdeen there’s also an emphasis on defensive stuff, working hard for the team. Derek McInnes has brought that side into my game and I’m thankful for that.”


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