SHINNIE OUT FOR SILVERWARE AFTER SIGNING DEAL
GRAEME SHINNIE last night penned a two-year contract extension with Aberdeen then set his sights on lifting a trophy with his hometown club. The versatile former Inverness left-back moved from the Highland capital to Pittodrie in the summer of 2015 after captaining Caley Thistle to Scottish Cup glory against Falkirk. The 25-year-old was part of the Aberdeen side that lost the League Cup Final 3-0 to Celtic back in November. And having pledged his future to the Pittodrie club until the summer of 2019, he admits he dreams of hoisting aloft a trophy for his beloved Dons. Shinnie said: ‘I’m from Aberdeen and I’m really enjoying my football here. I have done so since the first day I arrived at Pittodrie. ‘We have a squad that is capable of winning trophies and that’s what I aim to do while I’m an Aberdeen player.’ A delighted Derek McInnes, meanwhile, believes securing Shinnie on a longer deal is just as vital as any new signing that may arrive during this month. The Dons boss predicts the best is yet to come from a player who is equally comfortable playing in midfield or at full-back. McInnes said: ‘It’s fantastic news that Graeme is committing. ‘We are aiming to make a couple of signings in the transfer window, but this is as important as any signing we will make. ‘I’m delighted that Graeme has shown such loyalty and commitment — that same commitment we all see from him week in and week out both on and off the pitch. ‘As an Aberdeen boy, his love for the club is evident. Graeme is very protective of his career. I know he sees Aberdeen as the club to develop his game with and this sends out that message. ‘He’s been excellent since joining us two years ago and we know there is more to come from him.’ McInnes is also awaiting answers from Niall McGinn, Ash Taylor, Andrew Considine and Peter Pawlett on new deals. Hearts have made contact with Northern Ireland winger McGinn about a possible move to Tynecastle in the summer, but Aberdeen remain hopeful of keeping him at Pittodrie. Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes, meanwhile, has 18 months left on his current contract, but, already this month, has been the subject of two £500,000 bids from Cardiff City. Both offers were flatly turned down by the Dons, but the Welsh side may return before the end of the transfer window with a fresh bid to land the 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international.