SHINNIE HAPPY PEOPLE
McInnes: It was great telling Graeme, Kenny and Ryan they were in Scotland squad
DEREK McINNES was thrilled to perform a duty all football bosses love – telling a player he may be about to win a cap.
The Aberdeen gaffer was luckier than most when the Scotland squad to face Holland at Pittodrie on Thursday night was announced.
He had to deliver the news to three of his players – Graeme Shinnie, Kenny McLean and Ryan Christie – when they were called up for the friendly.
McInnes has argued for some time that Shinnie in particular had been wrongly overlooked for Scotland duty under ex-boss Gordon Strachan.
So when interim chief Malky Mackay named the 26-year-old full-back for Thursday’s clash it was understandable he was bursting to give Shinnie the good news.
McInnes said: “One of the best parts of being a manager is telling a player they’ve been given an international call-up.
“I enjoyed breaking the news to Graeme because I knew how important it was to him. It was like handing him his best Christmas present.
“He was bursting with pride and can’t wait to be involved. I feel it’s long overdue but I have had the luxury of working with him every day.
“I know how consistent he’s been and that’s the same for all three lads we’ve got in the squad. They have shown that over a period of time and it’s an ideal game to have a look at them.”
McInnes has told Shinnie, McLean and Christie, the Celtic loanee, that being selected for the squad is just the first rung on the ladder and that they must show a desire to see their names on Mackay’s teamsheet against Holland.
He said: “All the players who have been called up will know this is a fantastic opportunity.
“But as I’ve told our three boys it’s just a start and all they’ve done is make a step forward.
“Now they are in the squad the next challenge is to make sure they stay there. They can only do that by training well when you’re with Scotland and keep up their form for Aberdeen.
“I’ve told them if they get on to the pitch go out there and make sure you make an impact.”