Shinnie's warning to Dons

GRAEME SHINNIE has told his under-fire Aberdeen teammates to handle the heat as they prepare to kick off their Scottish Cup defence at home to Raith Rovers tomorrow.

- BY ANTHONY BROWN

The Dons are on a run of seven games without a win - six of them ending in defeat - and are without a manager after Jimmy Thelin paid the price for their poor form.

"It's natural in football, when it's going well, fans will give you all the praise in the world, but you've also got to be able to handle criticism," said captain Shinnie (above).