The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Shinnie has faith in McInnes to rebuild Dons
Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie insists the Dons have not reached the peak of their powers.
The Scottish Cup final marked the end of an era at Pittodrie, with Jonny Hayes, Ryan Jack, Peter Pawlett, Niall McGinn and Ash Taylor all moving on.
Dons manager Derek McInnes was tempted into joining the exodus when Sunderland came calling for his services but he has decided against leaving the Dons for a second crack at the English Championship.
His decision to stay was some welcome good news for the Dons but McInnes’s focus is now on plugging the gaps.
Greg Tansey has moved to the Dons on a precontract from Caley Thistle and he will be joined at Pittodrie by former Caley Jags teammate Ryan Christie, who is returning to Aberdeen on a season-long loan as part of the deal which took Hayes to Celtic.
Yesterday’s Europa League draw (see page 55) means the clock is firmly ticking as the race to get new faces in before the first leg at Pittodrie on July 13.
Shinnie is adamant the Reds will be just as strong and has backed his manager to bring in quality replacements.
He said: “The manager has a big job coming up in the next four weeks to try to replace some of the players and I have every faith in him doing that and then we go again in pre-season.
“It is a job he has always been good at. There is a good platform to build on as there always is at this club. The core of the team is still here and, as I say, I am sure the manager will recruit well.”
The Dons players are due back next week for pre-season training as their focus switches to the Europa League qualifying campaign.