Shinnie won’t shy away from a scrap despite his costly bans

Graeme shinnie insists it would be impossible to change his style of play even if he wanted to, despite a costly disciplinary record.

The Pittodrie captain has collected 13 yellow cards in the Premiership this season, more than any other player, resulting in a combined three-game suspension.

It is an indication of just how vital the midfielder is to the team that they lost them all in his absence, which must give motherwell hope as the former Inverness man is banned for next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

Kenny mcLean and Shay Logan are also suspended for that one but, while Shinnie admits being reduced to the role of spectator will be torture, there’s nothing he would or could do differently.

‘It’s been part of my game this year that has been disappointing as it’s become a talking point with how many I’ve picked up, but I’m not going to change,’ said Shinnie ahead of today’s trip to face Hearts at Tynecastle.

‘It (the booking) was a high foot in extra time of the cup replay against Kilmarnock, where there were a lot of bookings.

‘as soon as it happened, I knew the referee was going to book me and I was going to be out, but I had to do my utmost to get us through to the semi-final.

‘It’s always difficult not having an influence and it being such a big game at Hampden. It’s disappointing but I’ll still be there.

‘I’ll be in and around the build-up on the day of the game to give as much encouragement as I can to the boys.

‘Hopefully, they can get us through and I can lead them back out in the final — but I physically can’t change my style.

‘If I try to calm down, one little thing in the game can make me switch again. It’s the only way I know and it’s what I’m good at. It’s what’s got me to where I am now.

‘I feel some of my bookings have been very harsh — some have been my first tackle and I play in the middle of the park, so you would want a bit of leeway.

‘But I’m not going to alter the way I play and, anyway, I’m on a roll as I’ve had two games without a booking.’

aberdeen lost games against Celtic, motherwell and Hibs when Shinnie was suspended, with the latter two accounting for their only Premiership defeats against non-Old Firm teams this season.

It’s a record they are determined to maintain when they head to Gorgie today, with a three-point advantage over rangers in the race for second place.

Shinnie is aware, though, that the Dons would have already been in a much stronger position by now if they hadn’t lost all six league matches against rangers and Celtic this season.

‘That has been the disappointing part of the season, the results against the Old Firm,’ he said.

‘On the flipside, it shows how good our form has been against the rest of the teams in the league. It’s one of those where hindsight is a beautiful thing.

‘The Hearts game is important to go into the split three points clear at least and we’ve got confidence, good momentum so we want to keep that going.

‘It’s important we go into the split having won the game on Saturday. Then you deal with the teams around you.’

Derek mcInnes’ options are boosted as Niall mcGinn is fit to return. manchester City’s on-loan midfielder Chidi Nwakali misses out through injury but is expected to be fit to start against motherwell next weekend.

meanwhile, Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty has had the yellow card he picked up for diving at Dens Park last weekend rescinded by the SFa.

The Tynecastle club appealed after Lafferty was booked by referee Kevin Clancy for falling to the ground under a challenge from Dundee defender Steven Caulker.