Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie calls for ‘big performance’ against Celtic

Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie is heartened by their ability to rise to the big occasion as they prepare to visit Celtic Park following a tough European encounter in Greece.

The Dons drew 2-2 with PAOK on Thursday night and face a Celtic team who will be determined to bounce back from their 6-0 loss against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Barry Robson’s side have only won one of the six matches that have immediately followed a European game this season but they have already triumphed twice in Glasgow this season – against Rangers and then against Hibernian in the Viaplay Cup semi-finals.

Shinnie told RedTV: “It’s been a very different season for us all. It’s been up and down, we have had some great performances and some great games and we have had some not so good performances after the European games.

“But the league is still so tight. We have a couple of games in hand and we can climb higher, we are in a cup final and we have performed well in Europe.

“We have built some momentum. We have one more game before we can keep the feet up for the international break and let the bodies recover, but one big push on Sunday.”

Sunday will be Aberdeen’s 20th game of the season. They have won six, drawn six and lost seven so far.

Shinnie said: “The big games, we have seemed to step up and perform well. Frankfurt away, Thursday night, Rangers away.

“We have had some big performances and we are going to need another one and we are going to need the whole squad to do it.

“It’s key now that we get the rest and nutrition right. It’s important we recover and get ready to go again.”