It’s like we’ve lost part of the family

PAUL SHEERIN insists the next Aberdeen boss has big shoes to fill given high standards set by Derek McInnes must be maintained at Pittodrie.

Sheerin was gutted to see his former gaffer depart after eight years at the helm.

And he says the £13million Cormack Park training ground will be a huge part of the legacy left by McInnes and his assistant Tony Docherty.

The Reds coach was placed in interim charge along with Barry Robson following the shock departure of McInnes on Monday.

Sheerin admits he owes a debt of gratitude to his old St Johnstone boss for handing him a route back into full-time football when he was made youth-team coach in 2014.

And the ex-Dons midfielder insists the club should be grateful for the work he did in winning the 2014 League Cup on top of taking them from bottom-six strugglers to the second force at one stage.

Sheerin says he is picking up a team in a healthy position as he aims to beat Hibs to third place, with a chance of Scottish Cup glory this season as well.

Atlanta United 2 boss and former Pittodrie player Stephen Glass is expected to land the job permanently.

Sheerin said: “The standards are huge at Aberdeen, Derek and Tony have always demanded that.

“When I was a player at St Johnstone they came in, brought the standards up and arguably set the standards at St Johnstone to what are there now. They’re part of that.

“Hopefully, whatever happens next, those standards will be kept – and it will be part of Derek and Tony’s