GIVE ME A EURO BIRTHDAY TREAT
Shinnie desperate to banish last year’s birthday blues and bring home an early present
GRAEME SHINNIE is determined to enjoy many happy returns in Europe this season by banishing the birthday blues that marred his last journey into Europa League action.
The Dons skipper turned 25 on the night of August 4 last year when they suffered an exit at the hands of Maribor.
And he’s determined to ensure there’s no repeat of that experience against Siroki Brijeg this evening.
The midfielder may be a few weeks away from getting another round of the dumps but he’s already planning an early celebration by booking a third qualifying spot with a result he admits is going require a performance inside the Pecara Stadium that needs to be close to perfection.
He said: “Since I came to the club there hasn’t been big changes but the strength of this squad is as good, if not better, than when we played Maribor last season. Although it will take time for everyone to gel together.
“That was a great game and massively disappointing as I felt we did well both home and away.
“It would mean everything to reach the group stages but the next game is the toughest and we’re not looking any further than getting the result we need to take us through. “It would certainly be a brilliant early birthday present.
“It’s one I’m desperate for, to get through, but it will be tough as Siroki showed they are a good team at Pittodrie and we know what it will take to make it.
“Our confidence is high, everyone is looking forward to it and it is a
To win would be a brilliant early birthday present. But it’ll be tough SHINNIE
game we want to be involved in. We wanted to do so well in the league last year so we could experience occasions like this and the boys are looking forward to the game.
“We’d love to get a result and go through but we know it is a big task.”
The small but intimidating Pecara Stadium can hold 5726 fans and the Dons have already been promised a “welcome to hell” greeting from Siroki first-leg goalscoring hero Stipo Markovic ahead of the tie.
With a reputation as one of the most notorious home supports in the Balkans it’s not going to be pleasant but Shinnie is adamant it won’t be a patch on what they experienced in Maribor.
And he’s also grateful for the 168 Dons fans who’ll be in attendance.
He said: “Some of their boys have been talking about the intimidation factor. I don’t think you will get worse than Maribor and the fans there.
“No matter where we go we know there are fans with us and it’s good to see them and knowing they will be here in their numbers.
“It gives us belief and we want to do well for them. It’s a tough one for us but it’s one we know we can win.”
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes handed the squad a pre-match boost with the news he has joined his assistant Tony Docherty in signing a one-year-extension to his deal which will now carry him through to the summer of 2020.
It was an announcement Shinnie insists has filtered all the way through the dressing room.
He said: “To see him sign an extension is another boost on the eve of a massive game for the club.”
An away goal for the Bosnians during last Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Pittodrie has piled the pressure on Aberdeen to score tonight.
Siroki have had more competitive action recently than Aberdeen and Shinnie is well aware his side remain a work in progress with the summer additions of Greg Tansey, Gary Mackay-Steven and Nicky Maynard as well as the loan additions of last week’s scorer Ryan Christie and Greg Stewart.
He said: “The first competitive game is always the toughest. Every game we play gets us closer to the match sharpness we need.”