Inside Aberdeen reaction to Rangers gut punch as 'priceless' Graeme Shinnie defended from social media cynics

Jamie McGrath has jumped to the defence of under-fire captain Graeme Shinnie, claiming he’s “priceless” to Aberdeen.

The Dons skipper has come in for some stinging criticism, along with manager Barry Robson and his team, following Sunday’s Viaplay Cup Final defeat to Rangers at Hampden. A section of the support has questioned whether or not the midfielder can still have the same influence on games at 32. McGrath plays alongside Shinnie in the middle of the park so knows him better than most and what he brings to the Pittodrie dressing room – both on and off the park.

The Republic of Ireland cap said: “I don’t pay too much attention to social media and I don’t think any of the players do. You can be great one week and the worst player in the world the next so it’s about trying to find a happy medium. We’re not daft. We know the form Shinnie is in, his work-rate, the way he leads on and off the pitch. He’s priceless. To have someone like him alongside us, you can’t put a price on that.”

Many of Aberdeen’s key players struggled to cope with European group stage football on top of the domestic demands. And McGrath said: “The season has been tough on the whole squad. Some weeks you have felt leggy and that’s the reality of what we’ve faced. But we’re now looking to build momentum in the league and pick up more points.”

McGrath admits it has been a hard few days at Cormack Park, knowing they had let a great chance for silverware pass them by. The Dons star is well aware there now needs to be a reaction in the league and that needs to start with a home win against Livingston on Wednesday night.

“It’s sombre after losing a cup final,” McGrath said. “When you have your family over for the weekend you have high hopes going into