The duo enjoyed three successful years together at Pittodrie between 2015 and 2018 under Derek McInnes
19:24, 05 Mar 2025Updated 07:40, 06 Mar 2025
Graeme Shinnie (right) celebrates his goal with Adam Rooney for Aberdeen against Rangers(Image: Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Graeme Shinnie has become Aberdeen’s very own John McGinn as he homes in on his 600th club appearance.
That is the view of his former Dons and Inverness teammate Adam Rooney. He believes Shinnie’s desire and determination is similar to that of the Aston Villa and Scotland star and has also helped them both get to the top of their game. Shinnie will make his landmark club appearance against Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup this weekend.
Rooney said: “600 games is unreliable especially when you look at the health issues he has. To go on and reach that many games is amazing and especially when you consider how many miles he does in a game and over the course of his career. Graeme is a bit like John McGinn to an extent. He was always a decent player in Scotland but look at the career he has gone on to have. His work rate and desire has taken his career to another level and Graeme is exactly the same. “They are the type of players who are vital to any team being a success.”
The Irishman always knew the youngster would go the distance when he hit the ground running. Rooney recalled: “I remember when he came up nobody wanted to be in Graeme’s group for the running. Everyone knows how fit he is and he was a flying machine. Maurice Malpas (Caley Thistle No. 2) used to do a six minute mile run and he was nearly lapping me.”
Shinnie had to overcome bigger challenges in football. He had to go through a major intestinal surgery.. Rooney joked that Shinnie's early career was fuelled by McDonald’s. The striker said: “You also remember he had the big operation and that kept him out. We used to give him stick about his diet because when he was younger he used to love McDonald’s.”
Shinnie went on to become Inverness captain and his crowning moment was lifting the Scottish Cup. Rooney claimed: “He was quiet when he first broke in at Inverness but he was always popular in the dressing room and he grew into the leadership role. He was always destined to go on to bigger things.
“What he did at Inverness and to go on and captain them to their Scottish Cup win is unbelievable. He has gone on to have a brilliant career but I am sure that will still be one of his career highlights.”
Captain Graeme Shinnie (front, centre) leads his ICT team-mates in a mass celebration with the club's fans
Captain Graeme Shinnie (front, centre) leads his ICT team-mates in a mass celebration with the club's fans(Image: SNS Group)
After that, Shinnie moved on a pre-contract to Aberdeen where he joined Rooney and Jonny Hayes again. Rooney added: “He was well-respected at Pittodrie and he came in and there was good craic. He would normally take a bit of stick when he scored the odd goal for us. To be fair, he scored some decent ones so they were worth the wait!”
Shinnie had a successful first spell at Aberdeen where he won his six Scotland caps. “We used to laugh at how determined he was,” Rooney insisted. “When you see Shinnie running 50 yards to win a ball it inspires everyone around him. His teammates and the crowd.
“There was one game where we were three or 4-0 up against Hibs and they broke forward in the last minute. Shinnie was already on a booking and he ran back 40 yards and smashed their player.
“It got the fans off their seats and cheering but we looked at the manager and he was shaking his head to say: ‘He’s nuts. What are you doing? 'If you had misjudged it you would have been off!’ that is just Graeme’s character, he is all in and a winner."
He moved to Wigan Athletic and Derby County before he returned to Pittodrie in 2023. Rooney knows he remains as determined as ever to win something as an Aberdeen player.
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Rooney predicted: “You can’t see him slowing up anytime soon and even when he does, the knowledge of the game means he will be able to manage himself through the games. I would be surprised if he goes on to make another 100 plus appearances, if I am being honest with you. “He remains as driven as ever and he will still want to win something at Aberdeen before he hangs up his boots.”