Graeme Shinnie reckons Jimmy Thelin is raising the bar at 100% Aberdeen because nobody’s position is safe.
The captain is normally one of the first names on the team sheet but even he had to bide his time to get back in after he dropped out through injury. Aberdeen have won all 12 games this season and will look to make it 13 when Hearts head to Pittodrie tomorrow and Shinnie knows it is all about the collective.
He said: “That’s the way it’s got to be at a club like this and that’s testament to the management and staff and the work they’ve done. Obviously we lost Bojan (Miovski) who was key for us last season and that has been sorted out. I was injured at Motherwell and Ante stepped in, Pape was injured for the Dundee game but we won the game. That’s down to everybody knowing the jobs they’ve got to do and they’re focussed when called upon.
“They will be as it’s a long season and everybody will need to do their bit. Players have already proved they can take their chance and that’s crucial for us. It pushes everyone here to know their positions are not safe and that’s very healthy for the squad.”
Pittodrie is sold out as the red fever grips the North-east. Shinnie knows how important that can be against Hearts. “The atmosphere is the top at Pittodrie and we need to match that with our performance,” the midfielder acknowledged. “It gives us a lot, not just in terms of motivation but that we have to live-up to that on the pitch.
“It’s up to us to give them something to cheer for and get behind us to use them as that 12th man. Stepping out and seeing so many fans behind us it does give you an extra edge. But we have to make sure that we go out and use that in the right way.”
Hearts finished third last season but are now bottom of the table and 16 points behind the Dons. Interim Liam Fox has steadied the ship and is someone Shinnie knows well as he was the first-team coach at Aberdeen when they finished third under Barry Robson.
“Football’s mad isn’t it? Different seasons, different things happen, as the year before we finished third.
“It can change all the time which is why all we can do is concentrate on what we’ve been doing well. Keep getting better but we know Hearts are a good side and we know what we have to do to win.
“Liam will have his own ideas as he was coach here and Robbo was the manager so that was the style. I’m not sure what Foxy’s style will be but he will have his own style that he will try to implement there.
“He had a good result on Thursday. Hearts are in a false position, let’s be honest.”