Scottish air helps McGrath play a sweet tune

Meath player taking the high road once again

Maybe it's the Highland air? Maybe it's the haggis or the sound of the bagpipes or the delicious neeps and tatties?

Or maybe because when he is giving his chance and plays consistency Jamie McGrath's full footballing talents are revealed?

Whatever the reason he is is once more flying in Scottish football.

Yesterday, on his birthday, he scored a goal that was a huge boost to Aberdeen as they shocked Rangers at Ibrox Park winning 3-1.

It was another memorable occasion for the 27-year-old Athboy man in Scottish football - and he has had a few so far. What a way to celebrate your birthday.

He had a very productive spell with St Mirren when he signed for the club from Dundalk in January 2020. It was while with the Saints he gained his first cap for the Republic of Ireland against Andorra a year later.

Under the managerial guidance of Waterford man Jim Goodwin, McGrath played regularly and thrived with the club that is based in Paisley just outside Glasgow.

He was signed by Wigan Athletic but it didn't work out for him there as he got little first team football and lost his place on the Irish team.

He was signed by Dundee Utd and resurrected his career there last season although he couldn't prevent them from suffering relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

McGrath was then signed by Aberdeen and since the start of the season he has found himself a regular on Barry Robson's side, his passing and vision major assets.

The Dons didn't make the best of starts to their Premiership campaign this season losing a sequence of games that left them floundering.

Last week, after four successive defeats in all competitions, they overcame Ross County 4-1 with McGrath getting one of the goals.

Then yesterday it happened - on McGrath's birthday - the Dons did it again this time causing a shock 3-1 defeat of Rangers with the Athboy man scoring again.

Stefan Gartenmann grabbed the opener for Aberdeen; McGrath drilled home for another while Jack MacKenzie netted a clinching third.

Rangers missed a host of chances and the defeat puts huge pressure on manager Michael Beale who comes across as a decent guy in the media but who is surely under enormous pressure at Ibrox after this the team's third defeat in seven games.

The win is sure to give the Aberdeen tremendous confidence and help them continue their league resurgence.

McGrath is once more on a roll in bonny Scotland.