It was a case of the prodigal son returning to Pittodrie this evening with Graeme Shinnie joining the Dons on loan for the rest of the season. But even if he has been on the other side of the border, Shinnie has kept in touch with events here at Pittodrie during his time away.
“I’ve watched quite a few games this season and been impressed. Obviously the last few weeks the results haven’t gone the way we’d want but I think the performances have been generally good. We’ll be looking to turn the results around but I think the squad here is promising. I’ve spoken to the manager about how he wants to play, where he sees me fitting in, all very positive, very impressive.
“Having that bit of experience is one of the things I can contribute. In any squad you need senior players to help the younger lads. There’s a few here already and I think I can help add to that and help them on and off the pitch, to help them maximise that potential they’ve got.
“It’s a little bit surreal to be back, but very exciting too with the challenge that’s ahead this season. A lot has changed since I was here, especially with Cormack Park, so it’s nice to see how the club has progressed in the years I’ve been away.
“It’s an amazing facility when you think back to then, when we were taking minibuses out to the Barracks and wherever else we used to go. To have this facility is unbelievable and I’m sure the players and the staff appreciate just how important it is.
“Plenty else has changed too. I think Joe and Jonny are the only players still here from my time, though I know a few of the other boys like Marley and Kelle. I played with Kelle at Derby, and I spoke to him on the way up. He’s a big guy, good presence, so I’m looking forward to meeting up with him again as well as the rest of the lads.
“Going down to Derby was exciting, they were a game away from getting into the Premier League, but things didn’t work out from there, the club went into administration, so it was hard. From a playing point of view, I think I did well down there. I was in a team with Wayne Rooney, I was Derby’s player of the season, I played in some big games, and nice stadiums and I enjoyed it until the last few months.
“At Wigan, I found it tough to get a run of games going but the games I did play, especially this season, I felt my form was very good. All in all, it was a good experience and that was why I left here in the first place. It was hard to say goodbye but I needed to try and experience something else. The Championship is relentless, a tough league, but I felt I held my own. I think I’m a better player for it. I think I’ve grown as a player and a person. I’ve not changed that much as a player, you’ll probably see a few bookings come my way again, I haven’t lost that!
“Playing with Wayne Rooney was amazing. A very down to earth guy, he had so much time for everyone, just like the rest of the lads, and then he went on to be the manager as well and did such a lot for me and for the club. He changed the style there, wanted to the midfielders to pull out to the sides and pushing the full-backs on, so that was something new for me to learn. He gave me the player of the year award which is a massive honour coming from somebody who has done so much in the game.
“The last 12 months have been frustrating both in terms of football and with my family moving back up to Inverness, so that’s been tough. I haven’t played as many games as I wanted to, haven’t had a real of games since last January, so I wanted to enjoy my football again and coming back to somewhere that I know so well will help me hit the ground running. Add to that the family situation, it just made perfect sense to come back here and I’m very excited by it.
“I’m looking forward to trying to fight my way into the team. I haven’t played since before the break, so I need to get up to speed as quick as I can. There’s a massive game coming against St Johnstone on Saturday and then it’s Rangers the week after. I’ve missed those trips to Hampden. We had a few in my time without going on and winning a trophy, so it would be nice to try and put that right.”
