Shinnie 'could retire today and be a happy man'
Graeme Shinnie says he "could retire today and be a happy man" after achieving his dream of captaining Aberdeen to a historic Scottish Cup triumph.In his 300th appearance for the club, 33-year-old Shinnie led the Pittodrie side to a stunning penalty shootout victory over treble-chasing Celtic.The veteran midfielder captained Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Scottish Cup success 10 years ago and says his achievement a decade on "means everything"."I haven't been afraid to say it, but this is what I've been desperate for," Shinnie told BBC Scotland in the immediate aftermath at Hampden."I didn't want my career to go on and not win silverware for this club. It's sheer relief, knowing my family is up there. It's the best feeling in the world."It's my 300th appearance for the club, everything was just lining up. I could retire today and be a happy man."
'All the heartache makes it worth it'
Before Saturday, Shinnie had suffered defeat in four previous domestic cup finals - three against Celtic - across two spells with Aberdeen.But the former Derby County man says leading the Pittodrie side to their first Scottish Cup success in 35 years makes "all that heartache well worth it".It looked like it would be another hard-luck story for Shinnie as Aberdeen went behind when Alfie Dorrington diverted into his own net in the first half. But their change of system to a 5-3-2 shape severely restricted a Celtic side that had put at least five goals past them on three occasions this term.Continuing to remain solid after the break, Aberdeen got their equaliser when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel palmed Shayden Morris' cross into his own goal.Shinnie hailed manager Jimmy Thelin's decision to change the team's approach, as did penalty hero Dimitar Mitov, who saved two spot kicks in the shootout."Everybody doubted we could do it," Mitov told BBC Scotland. "But we knew with a good game plan, following instructions, working hard, we'd get a victory."We were outstanding. Sometimes, penalties go to luck. We rode our luck. We are cup champions, nobody cares how we did it."[Thelin] is the best manager I've ever worked with. On a day-to-day basis, how he manages us, how he trains us, the little details he puts in. "He always said 'when we win the final'. That mentality went into the boys, and we believed it. Everyone said 'when not if'. That was the turning point."
'Best feeling I've had in my life'
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack: "It's wonderful for our supporters, wonderful for the north east, it's been a long time coming."An awful lot of people wrote us off today, lambs to the slaughter some of them said. We've thrown a spanner in the works."Aberdeen defender Jack Milne: "This is the best feeling I've had in my life. We had the belief. "All of us knew we were capable of coming here and getting this result. It's amazing. It's a dream come true."Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson: "Absolutely incredible. No-one believed in us. We always had that hope, that bit of faith we could come here and do it."We came into this game believing and we've done it. I'm so happy."Aberdeen midfielder Dante Polvara: "I've been here four seasons, we've gone through a lot."The whole time I've been here, I've just wanted to give the fans something. Honestly, I never would've imagined it."
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