Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie has pledged that his team will bounce back from their difficult loss to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final. The Dons had enjoyed a remarkable 16-game unbeaten streak under manager Jimmy Thelin, but that run was abruptly ended with a tough six-goal loss to Celtic. Thelin described the defeat as a setback, but Shinnie and his teammates are determined to treat it as a learning experience and regain their momentum for the rest of the season.
Reflecting on the match, Shinnie acknowledged the need to refocus and approach the coming games with renewed intensity. “This was a big bump in the road, but we have to regroup,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of moving forward one game at a time. He expressed his disappointment but noted that the team has had a strong start to the season and shouldn’t let this loss derail their progress. For Shinnie, the priority now is to take lessons from the defeat, move past it, and continue their push in the league.
While the sting of Saturday’s loss lingers, Shinnie hopes the team will use it as motivation to improve. He admitted frustration with their performance but stressed the importance of learning from mistakes. The team’s earlier draw with Celtic in league play had shown their resilience, but the semi-final demonstrated the need for a higher level of resolve. “If you allow Celtic to control the game, they’ll punish you,” Shinnie remarked. He urged his teammates to step up their physical and mental toughness in future matches.
The captain openly acknowledged that Aberdeen fell short of their typical standards, conceding weak goals and allowing Celtic too much control on the pitch. He commended Celtic’s skillful play but pointed out Aberdeen’s lack of defensive solidity and urgency. Shinnie felt his team allowed Celtic to dictate the game, missing opportunities to challenge their opponents. “Credit to them, they played very well,” he noted, stressing that Aberdeen’s lack of resilience was a key factor in the outcome.
Despite the disappointment, Shinnie remains optimistic about Aberdeen’s potential to rebound. He recognized the support from the loyal “Red Army” who traveled in large numbers and continued to back the team even after the final whistle. Grateful for the fans’ unwavering support, Shinnie committed to getting Aberdeen back on track and back to winning form.
