Graeme Shinnie bites back at Rangers claim from Kris Boyd as Aberdeen tirade silenced by defiant skipper

Graeme Shinnie is confident his hurting teammates will be bang up for Sunday - but has rubbished Kris Boyd’s claim that is just because they are playing Rangers

Pundit and former Ibrox star Boyd ripped into Aberdeen for losing three goals in stoppage time in the 6-0 defeat to Celtic last time out and then claimed Barry Robson would have no problem picking his side up because it was the Light Blues at Pittodrie next up. Shinnie reckons Boyd is right to criticise his team for the result and performance at Celtic but has claimed that he would expect a reaction from his team after such a loss - regardless of who they were playing this weekend.

Shinnie, when asked about Boyd’s comments, stated: “The manager would be able to get us up for any game and especially after that. As players, if you don’t want to make amends for a defeat like that then you are in the wrong sport. We are all looking forward to the game on Sunday and it wouldn’t matter who it was. We would be right up for the game, having a good week to prepare for it. We haven’t had a lot of time where we have had the full week to prepare for a game. We are looking forward to it.”

Aberdeen have taken it on the chin from all quarters, including from Boyd, since their Parkhead mauling. Shinnie knows they can have no argument or complaints.

Asked about Boyd's comments that it was "embarrassing" to lose three late goals, Shinnie told Sky Sports: "I think he is just stating the obvious a little bit. It is disappointing, it is frustrating and it is embarrassing that you have been beat 6-0 so I think when you have these defeats you need to take criticism on the chin. We have had some good results away from home. At Ibrox, away to PAOK and Frankfurt and you take praise out of