Jack stays captain despite Shinnie success

Last updated : 08 February 2016 By Stand Free Ed

Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie celebrates

Last summer's headline signing Graeme Shinnie has taken the armband for the last three games in Jack's absence, inheriting it in the 3-2 win over Ross County in Dingwall – and the Dons have won every game, including victory over Celtic.

Many supporters feel that Inverness Caley Thistle's 2015 Scottish Cup-winning skipper Shinnie should be given the captaincy on a permanent basis.

Jack has seen his form slump since inheriting the armband from Russell Anderson last year.

And there is a question mark over the reasons behind Jack's captaincy, thought to have been an integral part of his contract extension.

Shinnie has flourished in the role, demonstrating strong leadership on top of his exceptional form this season.

However McInnes has poured cold water on any suggestion that Jack should hand over the armband to Shinnie. 

He said: "I don't think it's that important to be honest to have several options as captain. Ryan Jack is our captain and will remain so. There’s no reason to change that.

"We felt for different reasons that we wanted Shinnie to have the armband while Ryan was out. What has to be said is that Mark Reynolds was excellent in the game as well.

"What we do want rather than looking about a dressing room wondering ‘who can be captain?’ or ‘I don’t really have a captain’. Instead I’ve got several there that I can lean on any time to do the role.

"At the start of the season I said Ryan Jack is my captain and nothing has changed."

Image: PA