Dons captain advised to grab opportunity

Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes has urged Dons captain Graeme Shinnie to make the most of this week’s involvement with the Scotland squad.

The 26-year-old is one of three Dons in Malky Mackay’s squad for Thursday’s Pittodrie meeting with the Netherlands.

Kenny Mclean, who won his first cap against Czech Republic in March last year, and on-loan Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie are also hoping to feature in this week’s friendly.

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 of the 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.

“It’s a friendly and, while you still want to win the game, it’s a good chance to give players an opportunity to show what they can do.

“Graeme has been banging at the door of the international set-up for a while.”

With Celtic’s highly-rated Kieran Tierney and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson both competing to start at left-back for the national team, Mcinnes believes Shinnie’s best chance of becoming a regular fixture in the squad is as a central midfielder. He said: “He’s probably played 70% of the time for me as a midfielder. “I don’t think he’s going to win the fight at left-back. That’s not to say he couldn’t play there but there are two very good players in front of him. “I think Graeme is like me in that he sees his future as a midfielder. “But when you see him rampaging and raiding from left-back up and down the line then there’s no doubt he can play there. “In certain teams he might be more equipped to play left-back but, for me, I like the fact he’s so versatile. “Being able to play a few positions does him no harm at all. “There are a lot of changes in this squad, so I’m sure that whoever the new manager is will look into this game and see what he has available. “All the players who have been called up will know this is a fantastic opportunity. But, as I’ve told the three of our boys, it’s just a start – all you’ve done is make a step forward. “Now you are in the squad the next challenge is to make sure you stay there. You can only do that by training well when you’re with Scotland and keep up your form for Aberdeen. “If they get on to the pitch, don’t play with the handbrake on, don’t play safe, go out there and make sure you make an impact.”

Picture: SNS Group. Graeme Shinnie took time out from training at Oriam yesterday to meet some young fans.