2020 DECISION
Shinnie weighs up Dons future and considers options as he plots starring spot for country
GRAEME SHINNIE’S club future remains shrouded in doubt but the Aberdeen ace’s Scotland ambitions are crystal clear.
The midfielder faces a massive decision on his Dons future with his deal up in the summer and boss Derek McInnes demanding an answer this month over a new contract that would make him the club’s highestpaid player.
And at the forefront of the 27-year-old’s thinking is how best to safeguard his international prospects as he desperately wants to be part of the Euro 2020 push.
Shinnie, who has five caps, was part of Alex McLeish’s side that topped their Nations League section and guaranteed a play-off for next year’s finals.
Scotland may not need that lifeline as they could qualify automatically for a first major finals since 1998 if they finish in the top two of Group I which includes Belgium, Russia, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and San Marino.
McLeish’s men kick off their campaign away to Kazakhstan on March 21 then San Marino three days later.
Shinnie has made it his first resolution of 2019 to be involved in that doubleheader having only made his international bow in Peru last summer.
He said: “I’ve loved my time away with the Scotland team this season. This has been the first season where I have had a run of camps and being involved in squads.
“It’s been good for my confidence and everything else. I’ve loved being among it and as long as I stay fit and healthy and keep my form to the best I can then I can hopefully play my part in the Euro qualifiers.”
Scotland have their work cut out with the classy Belgians – who top FIFA’s world rankings – and last year’s World Cup hosts Russia being top two seeds.
Shinnie was a late sub as Eden Hazard and Co hit the Scots for four at Hampden in September and wants to show McLeish’s men are a tougher nut to crack now.
He said: “The Belgium game will be massive, they’re one of the best teams in the world. To be involved in games like that would be special. There’s exciting matches in the section with Belgium and Russia but Kazakhstan away jumped out as well – as it’s the first!
“They are great games to be involved in. When you are a player you always want to represent your country. It’s always an honour and special moment to pull the jersey on.
“It’s something I’d always want whether I’m 18 or 30 or 35. I would always want to play because there are special games coming up with top teams and these are games you want to be involved in.”
The Aberdeen star, who will head to Dubai for their winter training camp next week, also expects Scotland to take the momentum from their Nations League success, where they topped the group ahead of Israel and Albania, into the qualifiers.
He said: “The way we finished the Nations League was good and it’s given the entire group confidence.”
“I’ve played a few friendlies and those were good for getting caps under my belt but I wanted to win that first competitive game.
“Coming on for the end of the Israel game and the way it went and the way we fought at the end it made me feel like a real part of the team.”
I’ve loved my time away with the Scotland team this season GRAEME SHINNIE