SHINNIE USES ANY WEAPON IN A TURF WAR

HAVING successfully argued for more tickets and a later kick-off time, Aberdeen fans have been slow on the uptake for next weekend’s Betfred Cup semi-final with Rangers.

The low sales figures may be reflective of fan expectation but, on the pitch, Dons players have taken steps to maintain the neutrality of the stadium.

Hampden’s Glasgow location may seem to favour Rangers but, collectively, Steven Gerrard’s players could actually be less familiar with the ground than their opponents from the north east.

Scott McKenna, Gary Mackay-Steven and Graeme Shinnie all saw action in Scotland’s friendly defeat to Portugal last weekend, while Mikey Devlin also got a feel for the national stadium after his late promotion to the squad.

‘It was good to have the other Aberdeen boys around the Scotland squad and I’m sure the manager was delighted to be so well represented,’ said Shinnie. ‘It naturally gave us all a spring in our step going back up the road.

‘Coming to Hampden is always a good day out and we’re looking forward to the semi.

‘It will be a massive occasion, another semi-final, and one we are desperate to win.

‘We don’t expect to be there every season but it is something we strive for. We like to give the fans that day out but it is only enjoyable if you get through. Cup finals are where we want to be. We got to both finals a couple of years ago and we want that again — with a better outcome.’

With yesterday’s league match against Hearts now out of the way, both teams can look forward to next Sunday’s double hit, with the Gorgie men facing Celtic at Murrayfield in the day’s earlier kick-off.

‘It will be a good day for Scottish football and I love the build-up to these types of games,’ added Shinnie.

‘We just have to forget the Hearts-Celtic game and focus on ourselves.

‘We can’t influence the other match. The way this season has gone so far, we have to just worry about what we can do.’