Graeme Shinnie is more than happy to rough people up if it lets Leighton Clarkson sprinkle some magic for Aberdeen.
The Pittodrie captain has been reunited with his creative midfield partner after returning north from Wigan on a permanent basis. The Dons borrowed the duo on loan last season, with both playing a massive part in Barry Robson’s side finishing third to seal guaranteed European group stage football once this campaign gets going.
Shinnie, 31, admits he and Ylber Ramadani are more than happy to do the dirty work so their younger colleague can provide the cutting edge and quality at the top end of the pitch. Clarkson, 21, has made his switch from Liverpool a permanent one as well and Shinnie said: “It is massive because he makes my job a lot easier. He will probably say likewise on the flip side because I will do all the running and give him the ball, then he can do the magic.
“He was an amazing player last year. Leighton has unbelievable talent and can cut defences open. We have seen that with some of the passes he produced. He gives me and Rama the licence to go and press to ruffle them up, particularly with Leighton lying as the one and me and Rama as a two. That allows Leighton to be able to dictate play and do his stuff.”
Shinnie reckons the fact Aberdeen have convinced Clarkson to sign on full-time – on top of luring his former Liverpool team-mate Rhys Williams on loan – shows the Pittodrie side’s growing stature. The skipper added: “It shows where the club are at – to attract a player like that who has done so well.
“When they come up from England and do so well, it can be hard to keep hold of them. English clubs say they think he did well up there so we will have a look at him. For Aberdeen to be able to secure him again, especially on a four-year contract, is testament to the club. It is a delight for the staff and players to have a player like Leighton in the dressing room.”
Shinnie has the armband and will run the dressing room for Robson. The squad returned from their training camp in Portugal at the weekend and will continue their build-up with friendlies against Turriff and Fraserburgh this week. Shinnie has already started to lay down the law – and, crucially, the fines – for the new season as, asked about the rule book, he said: “We’re getting there. The gaffer had added one too many I think!
“It’s massively important to have that. Jonny Hayes had it on lock last year and the manager is massive on keeping standards at the club. He controls it on the training pitch and when we are right at it and when there is a bit of banter.
“Off the pitch it is probably more the responsibility of myself and Jonny to keep that dressing room under control in terms of fines and making sure standards are at the highest they can be. The fine list will be drawn up, a lot of money will be made this year and we’ll have a good Christmas party at the end of it.”
Delighted to be back for a third spell in red, he’s glad to be back in the swing after a stressful break that saw him hounded by the Red Army in their lust to see him return home.
He added: “I’m based up north and there are still a lot of Aberdeen fans up there. It’s been a hectic summer as I’m moving to Nairn. It was a case of trying to get away to chill out for 10 days but I didn’t manage to do that because Wigan were in a mess. Then I tried moving into a house. So I’m happy to be back for pre-season.”
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