New Zealand international James McGarry faces one of the biggest games of his club career when his Aberdeen side meet Glasgow giants Rangers in the final of the Scottish League Cup.
The match, which kicks off at 4am (NZT) on Monday December 18, will be played before a packed Hampden Park, the national stadium of Scotland with a capacity of almost 52,000.
McGarry (25) signed for Aberdeen on a three-year deal this year, moving from A-League club Central Coast Mariners after an undisclosed six-figure sum was paid for his transfer.
Main photo: James McGarry … moved to Scotland after winning A-League with Central Coast Mariners. Photo credit: Aberdeen FC.
The defender will have his mother and father in the stands to cheer him on, after they completed a two-day, 18,000km trip from New Zealand to Scotland.
Father Michael (58), who was a 54-cap All White, was a Chatham Cup winner with Christchurch United in 1989.
The McGarrys got to Scotland in time to see son James play for Aberdeen in Thursday’s 2-0 Europa Conference League win against Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt.
They also met their grandson, Storm, who was born during the UK summer, for the first time.
McGarry told Scotland’s Press & Journal:
“I am so proud to be able to have put on a show for them.
“It is great to have them here.”
The McGarry family were also together in June when James was part of the Mariners side that beat Melbourne City 6-1 in the A-League Grand Final in Sydney.
James McGarry believes that experience will serve him well for the Viaplay-sponsored League Cup Final against Rangers.
“I have been in a massive final in front of lots of fans so I know what that is like.
“That can bring confidence, knowing I have been there and done that.”
“Any nerves can calm down a bit and I can focus on the game.
McGarry is expected to mark in-form striker Abdallah Sima, a Senegal international on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
“We know Rangers have some top-quality players so we have to really focus on ourselves,” McGarry told the Press & Journal.
How to watch the cup final
The Scottish League Cup Final will be streamed to New Zealand by beIN Sports.
You can watch McGarry in the big match by taking advantage of beIN Sports’ free 7-day trial of their service.
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