Shinnie determined to write a new Euro story by reaching group stage
Graeme Shinnie is desperate to grasp the chance go further in the Europa League and create new stories such as when Bayern Munich returned to Pittodrie nine years ago.
The Aberdeen skipper, who turns 26 on Friday, was preparing to make his way in the game as a youth player at Inverness when the German giants visited Pittodrie in 2008. Unlike en route to the Cup-winners’ Cup final in 1983, Aberdeen could not get the better of Bayern, drawing at home and losing away 5-1.
But the games are still talked about, as are those in the group stage against Atletico Madrid and Copenhagen.
Aberdeen must defend a 2-1 lead against Apollon Limassol in Cyrpus on Thursday in order to progress to the playoff round, when they will stand just two games away from the group stage.
“It would be massive if we can get to the group stages – unreal,” said Shinnie yesterday. “But that’s a long way away yet. We have a massive game this week and once we get through, we could have a tough tie.”
“The focus is on Thursday,” he added. “They are a good team. They showed that at Pittodrie and if we give them a chance they will take it. We