Aberdeen’s Graeme Shinnie says Hearts have shown Old Firm opportunity this term ahead of Celtic visit – as skipper confirms he wants to extend contract

Aberdeen’s Graeme Shinnie says Hearts have proved there’s an opportunity to get at the Old Firm this season ahead of the Dons’ Sunday trip to Celtic – with the Reds skipper also confirming he wants to remain at Pittodrie next term.

Jimmy Thelin’s team begin a crunch run of top-flight matches Parkhead, against a Hoops side in crisis mode following four opening defeats under new boss Wilfried Nancy.

Despite not winning in the league until October, Aberdeen’s own resurgent Premiership form means they are now in sixth place and just eight points from the second-placed Hoops, with the champions, in turn, six points off the pace of leaders Hearts.

With Rangers third and only five points ahead of the Dons going into a busy festive line-up of matches, Shinnie knows a continued strong top-flight run could also send the Reds’ into the mix with the Glasgow two.

He said: “Hearts have shown there is an opportunity because they are at the top.

“We’ve just to focus on us.

“We’ve had a good turnaround.

“We had a really bad start and we have been able to turn that around.

“Our form recently has been very good, in terms of points.”

Thelin’s Aberdeen have now lost just once in 10 Premiership outings and, after their trip to Celtic, host Dundee United (December 27) and visit Hibs (December 30) – currently only above them in fifth-place on goal difference – to close out the calendar year.

Shinnie said: “We have put ourselves right back in a position where we want to be, fighting around the top.

“It is really tight.

“We are sixth, but it is really tight up to third.

“Over the Christmas period, with so many games, it is about trying to put as many points on the board as we can.

“When you come out the other side then you will have a gauge of where you are.”

Lack of attacking threat and mistake ‘kills’ Sparta Prague fixture – Shinnie

On Thursday, Aberdeen closed out their Uefa Conference League campaign at Sparta Prague, with charitable defending contributing to a disappointing 3-0 loss.

Shinnie said the Dons have to dust themselves down and forget about the ending to what was a tough Euro campaign, adding: “There wasn’t enough in the final third and we didn’t put enough pressure on them, by scoring or creating chances, to get ourselves back in the game, and then we give away a poor third goal as well, which kills it.”

Celtic ‘are still dangerous and have top, top players’

While Aberdeen have been focused on Europe this week, Celtic hit a further low under new manager Nancy with a 2-1 loss at Tannadice, prompting speculation the former Columbus Crew boss could sensationally be axed less than two weeks after his appointment.

However, Dons skipper Shinnie doesn’t think the Hoops are going to be easy-pickings on Sunday, saying: “We have been watching some of the games. They’ve had some great moments and chances.

“The Hearts game (2-0 Parkhead defeat), in the first half they were very good and could have been two or three ahead.

“Dundee United, in the first half, they could have been two or three-nil again.

“They are still dangerous and have top, top players. Parkhead is a tough place to go.

“(But) we are in good form, we have to look forward to it and be excited for it.”

Shinnie wants longer Aberdeen stay as club ‘is like home’ to captain

Meanwhile, veteran Shinnie is out of contract at Aberdeen in the summer, but revealed he is keen to extend his second stint with the Dons.

Shinnie has been used as a utility man, in both midfield and at left-back, by boss Thelin this term, with only 13 of the club captain’s 23 outings this season coming from the start in matches.

On his contract situation, Shinnie said: “There has been so much going on with travelling, Europe and games and everything else.

“We’ve not really had the chance.

“I think once the games have settled down we will have the chat.

“I don’t think it will be too difficult. It is one we will deal with pretty easily and get on with it.

“I love it here. It is like home to me.

“As long as they still want me then we will see what happens.”

[Source: Press and Journal]