RED RIOT ACT

Shinnie is adamant Dons’ poor start to term is down to players, not their gaffer

- BY SCOTT BURNS

GRAEME SHINNIE insists all flak should be fired at him and his teammates rather than Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin.

The Scottish Cup winners’ fortunes have taken a dramatic turnaround, with the side failing to score a goal in the Premiership and propping up the table with just one point and no goals from their first four games.

They have dropped from the Europa into the Conference League while their Premier Sports Cup bid derailed in the last eight.

Thelin read the riot act after Saturday's cup exit to Motherwell at home and expects a reaction away to Dundee United tonight.

Skipper Shinnie said: “The manager always takes the flak for it. As players, we've got to take some of the flak - the majority of it, actually, if 'm being honest.

“He's demanded things out of the squad that, come a game, players haven't been doing it.

“It's frustrating for the gaffer. He's given us all the tools, the tactics and everything that we need to go and do the job - and it goes missing on a Saturday.

“People aren't doing what he’s asking them to do.

“We're kind of letting him down as well in that aspect.