Dons hold all the top picks, says Shinnie

JUST because i t can readily be classed as mere pub talk is not to say its relevance should be blithely dismissed. The very fact that Aberdeen’s starting XI is now being favourably compared with that of Celtic is — in itself — a measure of how far the Dons have progressed under the stewardship of Derek McInnes.

In terms of how many of Ronny Deila’s players the men from the Granite City would actually covet — that classic closing-time debate — the feeling from within Pittodrie speaks to the burgeoning confidence of its inhabitants.

‘Naturally, I would take all the Aberdeen players fi r st,’ said defender Graeme Shinnie. ‘People have their opinions and everybody will be different. We don’t focus on that because we know we have a good squad and manager.’

There is absolutely no reason for Shinnie to hide his side’s light under a bushel. Nine goals scored and one conceded over the opening five matches of the season see them entering today’s lunchtime showdown with an unblemished points record. Celtic, by contrast, have already cast two to the wind at Rugby Park.

If the sold- out signs outside Pittodrie are indicative of a growing belief in the city that the local favourites can stay the distance for longer this season, the focus of the men in red fails to extend beyond 2.15pm today.

‘We couldn’t have asked for a better start,’ said the former Inverness Caley Thistle skipper. ‘When I signed here, I knew this squad was capable of doing it. It’s been a good start but that’s all it really is.

‘We need to focus on Saturday and doing well in that game, to make it six out of six.’

Publicly, at least, McInnes’ players appear to be untouched by the hype surrounding today’s affair.

Were they to emerge triumphant, a home game with Hamilton on Tuesday would represent the possibility of stretching five points clear of the champions. Talk of a genuine title challenge would then be feverish.

Perhaps unwilling to cast the banana skins in their path, however, Shinnie is adamant the visit of the champions assumes no greater importance than if they were any of the other 10 sides in the top division.

‘Naturally, we want to win the game like we want to win every game,’ he added.

‘It is a bit early to say a nybody is putting down a statement. We are a good team and have a lot to play for.’

Shinnie can vouch from recent personal experience that Celtic are by no means invincible.

Twice in the colours of Inverness last season he came out in top — a late August triumph in the Highland capital and, most memorably, a pulsating 3-2 win in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

‘I think the key thing is to treat it like any other game and not having anything to fear,’ he mused.

‘At Inverness, we knew we could cause them problems and we did. With the squad we have here we can also cause them problems. Confidence is high.’

For all Aberdeen’s main focus will be themselves, rest assured much heed will also be paid to the names on Celtic’s team sheet.

It is not inconceivable that Deila’s back-line could have an average age of just 21 with Jozo Simunovic being thrown in for the most taxing of debuts. As lucrative as the sale of Virgil van Dijk to Southampton was, the void left by the £13million Dutchman will soon be gauged.

‘ They have brought i n Tyler Blackett from Manchester United, so I don’t think they have been weakened in any way,’ Shinnie said.

‘They are a good side but we know we are a good side and know what we can do.’

Shinnie, of course, was mentioned in dispatches as a prospective acquisition by Celtic around the time news of his pre-contract deal with the Dons emerged. How far did the interest go?

‘My sole focus was on coming to Aberdeen,’ he insisted. ‘I knew I was coming to a club that is on the up.

‘I am also from the city. Today shows what this game means to the fans with the sell-out crowd. That’s what it’s all about.’

Even for an accomplished and consistent player as Shinnie ( below), t he t r ansition f r om Inverness to Aberdeen has been remarkably seamless.

So much so that the case for i nternational recognition is increasingly being forwarded.

Another sterling display against the best side in the land today might just see that reach a crescendo. ‘I can’t do anything but focus on my football and do the best I can,’ he said. ‘ If it comes to a Scotland c al l - up, I would be

delighted.’