Shinnie pays cap tribute to Dons idol
GRAEME Shinnie’s relief at winning a precious cap for Scotland was followed by a sobering realisation. Coming on as a late substitute in Peru secured the Aberdeen captain one more international appearance than club legend Neale Cooper managed before his untimely death at the age of 54 earlier this week.
Shocked and saddened by the premature loss of Cooper, the Dons icon who won a European Cup Winners’ Cup, two league winners’ medals, four Scottish Cups and a League Cup, Shinnie shook his head as he admitted: ‘I didn’t even know that Neale had never won a cap. That is amazing a player as good as Neale never played for Scotland.
‘I read the Franz Beckenbauer quotes (about Neale) and what he said just shows the quality he had as a footballer.
‘He achieved so much — but you would never know because he was so grounded. Neale was just a lovely, lovely guy. I was involved in a few golf and radio events with Neale and also a few times in the hospitality lounges at Pittodrie.
‘Everybody will tell you what a great guy he was and that is there for all to see with all the tributes that have been made.’
Cooper died on Monday, following a fall in the Bucksburn area of the Granite City in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The news shocked Scotland manager Alex McLeish, a former Dons team-mate, and the Pittodrie contingent in the Scotland squad.
‘I found out on Monday and I was absolutely gutted when I heard the news,’ admitted Shinnie. ‘I have been with Neale so many times and I have been in and around him so many times.
‘He was a great guy and an absolute gentleman. He was a laugh-a-minute and everybody loved him. You can see that from the tributes he has had.
‘He was a legend at Aberdeen FC and was an unbelievable footballer. He had a great career in playing, coaching and management.
‘Being a local lad from Aberdeen, he is somebody who young kids can look up to. He is and always will be an Aberdeen legend and that is why everyone connected with the club is so devastated by the news.’
Cancelling his own stag weekend in pursuit of a debut for the national team, the 26-year-old’s sacrifice was rewarded with the closing minutes of the 2-0 defeat in Peru.
‘My first feeling was one of relief at finally getting on and getting my cap,’ said Shinnie. ‘I have been desperate for it for so long and everybody knows that. It means everything to me.
‘I have my first cap under my belt and that has been something I have been desperate to do for a long time now.
‘It has come around now and maybe I can play a part in the Mexico game and get my first full international start. That has to be my next aim. I just want to keep progressing and to get better and better every time.’
Shinnie is earmarked for a start against Mexico in the early hours of Sunday, with Jack Hendry and Ryan Christie also likely to play at the iconic Azteca Stadium before a crowd of around 90,000.
‘I have heard a lot about it,’ he continued. ‘A 90,000 capacity is an opportunity of a lifetime. I am just delighted to be here and part of it.
‘Peru was amazing, one of the best atmospheres I have witnessed. The crowds outside and even in the stadium were absolutely unbelievable.
‘It is something different and maybe you would only see in European or South American football. It is different and it is good because as a footballer you are always learning from games and experiences like this.’