It would be impossible for Aberdeen’s early season Premiership charge to go unnoticed.
Jimmy Thelin’s Red Army have won the first 13 games under the Swede’s tutelage and that includes seven from seven in the Premiership which has them sitting equal on points with Celtic at the top of the table.
That has fans dreaming of, and others debating, the possibility of splitting the Old Firm by finishing above Rangers or even launching an unlikely title challenge.
The goals of Pape Gueye and Kevin Nisbet have been heralded as have defensive displays of the likes of Jack MacKenzie, Nicky Devlin, Slobodan Rubezic and, in front of them, Sivert Nilsen.
But is there a player just as key to their success who is going under the radar?
McGrath and the incredible early season Aberdeen stats
Jamie McGrath proved to be a decent free transfer addition last season. Despite the Dons’ struggles he was one of their more productive players.
But he has taken his game to a new level under Thelin’s attacking style. The Irishman leads the way in the Premiership for on a number of metrics.
He sits at the top of the assists charts, with Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn, with four from seven games. With two goals to his name as well that totals six goal contributions, just one behind leader Kuhn.
Acording to Fot Mob, the 28-year-old also sits joint top of ‘big chances created’ with five others, including Motherwell’s Lennon Miller.
For chances created, it is McGrath and Matty Kennedy of Kilmarnock who lead the rest with 20.
For expected assists (xA), he is the highest scoring non-Old Firm player, again tied with Kennedy, on 1.9. His xA per 90 is 0.33 which sees him sitting joint sixth for the Premiership.
All of this suggests McGrath is a major creative force in Thelin’s side which has been the story of the season so far.
Aberdeen could face fight to hold on to McGrath
McGrath is out of contract next summer and those sorts of numbers could certainly alert potential suitors interested in picking up a freebie.
Jimmy Thelin recently spoke on the situation of the Ireland international and Jack MacKenzie, attracting the interest of English Championship clibs.
He said: “The dialogue with the club is good. Steven (Gunn, Aberdeen director of football) is making that progress.
“Let’s see what will happen but I can’t speak for the players. There is a process there.”