The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Dons to take in Shinnie lodger Tansey
Landlord Graeme hails Reds signing
Dundee v Aberdeen, BT SpPort 1., 7.30pm
Aberdeen vice-captain Graeme Shinnie is delighted Greg Tansey is making the move to Pittodrie next season – even though it means he has to find a new lodger.
Tansey, 28, will become the latest Caley Thistle player to make the move down the A96 to join the Dons after signing a precontract agreement yesterday.
The midfielder has agreed a three-year deal with the Dons and Shinnie, who won the Scottish Cup for the Caley Jags as Tansey’s team-mate in 2015, believes the Dons have made a shrewd acquisition. But Tansey’s move to Pittodrie means Shinnie will have to find a new tenant for his home in the Highlands.
He said: “Greg rents my house, so I will need to try to get someone else in there now. I will need to text him to make sure he has cleaned it properly and check for any damage and I will take his signingon fee if there are any problems.
“I didn’t speak to him about the move. That is personal and I didn’t ask him where he was going. I didn’t even know he was going to leave Inverness. He has made the decision himself and felt he could develop his career here.
“That was his choice, so it is one we are happy with as he can add so much to our team. He is a great player and someone I know inside out. I have played with him in centre midfield a couple of times at Inverness.
“He is good at passing and shooting and can get about the pitch. When I played left back, I always knew he could switch the ball across to me at any time. He will be a great addition to the squad.”
However, Shinnie believes Tansey will be doing everything in his power to save Caley Jags from relegation – even though he won’t be at Inverness next season.
As fate would have it, the next fixture for the Dons after tonight’s trip to Dundee is a home encounter against Tansey’s Caley Thistle.
Shinnie said: “That will be weird for him. I had that situation when I moved and it was a bit strange.
“He will be focused on trying to play well. When he comes to Pittodrie he will also be trying to impress the supporters here and show what he can do. It will be strange but one I’m sure he will enjoy.
“He will want to finish his career on a high at Inverness. He has been a great servant to Inverness and has won the Scottish Cup and played in Europe.
“He has been on the journey with them and I’m sure the supporters will give him a good sendoff.
“They won’t be happy to lose him but we are happy to take him. He is a good professional and he will do everything he can to get them out of their current situation.
“I fully expect them to do that as they have a great squad with some great players. I hope they stay in the league.
“Greg will be focused on what he has to do and then his focus will turn to us when he makes the move.”
“I’ll text him to make sure he has cleaned it properly and check for any damage”