Mixed fortunes for 'unsung hero' McGrath as Dons win again

Athboy player replaced after clash

Upwards and onwards. Aberdeen surged to the top of the table in the Scottish Premiership for the first time in decade when they defeated Ross County 1-0 at Dingwall yesterday with Kevin Nisbet firing home the winner deep into injury and Jamie McGrath playing his part in the victory.

The win means the Dons have now won four games from four in the league since the start of the season - but it wasn't all good news for McGrath as he was forced to leave field after a clash of heads in the second-half.

The Athboy man had the Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw scrambling to make a save after nine minutes.

However on the half-hour mark McGrath was involved in a clash of heads with opponent Kacper Lopata.

Both players required lengthy medical assistance but McGrath could not continue and was replaced by Nisbet.

According to the report on the game on the Aberdeen website McGrath was "helped off with a lump like a golf ball already appearing on the side of his forehead."

The victory constituted the perfect start for new Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin who has brought a new sense of optimism to the club since taking charge with Jamie McGrath a regular on the team from day one.

Like the team itself the Athboy man has started the season with a fourish scoring against St Johnstone and St Mirren in the Premiership.

However he was left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for next Saturday's game against England in the Nations League at the Aviva by new national manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.

A recall to the Irish squad is no doubt a priority for McGrath who has 12 senior caps in his collection.

Towards the end of last season McGrath was referred to as an "unsung hero" by Aberdeen coach Peter Leven.

McGrath scored 10 goals in his debut season with the Dons and with two already in the bag after just four league games he is on course to exceed that in this campaign.