Shinnie ‘could retire today and be a happy man’ after Scottish Cup win

After leading Aberdeen to astorstoric Scottish Cup triumph, Graeme Shinnie claims he “could retire today and be a happy man.”

Shinnie, 33, led the Pittodrie side to a stunning penalty shootout victory over treble-chasing Celtic on his 300th appearance for the club.

The veteran midfielder says a decade on “means everything” how he led the Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Scottish Cup success.

In the immediate aftermath of Hampden, Shinnie said, “I haven’t been afraid to say it, but this is what I’ve been desperate for.”

I didn’t want to continue my career and not contribute silverware to this organization. Knowing that my family is there is pure relief. The sensation is the best in the world.

Before Saturday, Shinnie had lost to Aberdeen in four previous domestic cup finals, including three against Celtic.

However, the former Derby County man claims that “all that heartache is well worth it” in leading the Pittodrie side to their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years.

As Aberdeen fell behind when Alfie Dorrington headed home in the first half, it appeared as though Shinnie would have had another difficult game to play.

However, a Celtic side that had at least five goals past them on three occasions this season was severely repressed by their switch to a 5-3-2 formation.

When Aberdeen’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel palmed Shayden Morris’ cross into his own goal, the game was tied at halftime.

Both Dimitar Mitov and Jimmy Thelin, the team’s manager, and Shinnie applauded the team’s decision to alter its strategy.

Everyone doubted our ability, Mitov told BBC Scotland. But we were certain that if we worked hard, followed instructions, and had a good game plan, we would win.

“We won,” he said. Penalties can sometimes be applied to good. We honed our abilities. Nobody cares how we did it because we are cup winners.

Thelin is by far the best manager I’ve ever had. How he manages us, how he trains us, and how little things he takes care of us daily.

“Lambs to the slaughter,” some people said, “A lot of people wrote us off today. We’ve put a spanner in the works.

Jack Milne, a defender for Aberdeen, described it as “the best feeling of my life.” The belief was present.

“All of us knew that this outcome would be possible.” It is incredible. It’s a true dream.

Leighton Clarkson, a midfielder for Aberdeen, described it as “absolutely incredible. No one backed our cause. We always had faith that we could accomplish it when we arrived.

We entered this game believing, and we succeeded. I’m so happy.

Dante Polvara, the midfielder for Aberdeen, said: “We’ve been through a lot.