Aberdeen have launched an appeal against a red card awarded to influential midfielder Graeme Shinnie ahead of the visit of Rangers this weekend.
Combative midfielder Graeme Shinnie, 31, was sent off in Aberdeen’s 1-0 win over Ross County at the weekend, banning him for the clash with Rangers.
Rangers fans might’ve been more focused on Luis Lopes in the match – who scored the Dons’ winner – but the situation surrounding Shinnie will have repercussions for Aberdeen this weekend.
The Wigan Athletic loanee was shown red after a high and robust challenge on Ross County defender Jack Baldwin, with Euan Anderson consulting the VAR monitor before coming to a decision.
Aberdeen appeal Graeme Shinnie red
To any right-thinking person the decision is probably the right one, with there being absolutely no need for Graeme Shinnie to fly into the tackle and endanger his opponent.
But with VAR groans very much in vogue in Scottish football, Aberdeen have launched an appeal in the hope Graeme Shinnie will be available for the match with Rangers.
The red card is Shinnie’s second for Aberdeen in a matter of weeks – the other coming against St Johnstone – and the midfielder faces three games out as a result.
“The club this morning confirms it has appealed the red card shown to Graeme Shinnie during Friday night’s cinch Premiership match against Ross County,” reads a Dons statement.
“A further update will be provided once we have been notified of the outcome of the appeal.”
Rangers clearly have a vested interest in what happens here with Aberdeen resurgent under Jim Goodwin and Graeme Shinnie a key player for the Dons.
If the appeal is successful, Shinnie will be free to face Rangers this weekend. If isn’t, he won’t be.
As the Gers look to end the season strongly, Aberdeen will hope to lay down a marker of their own heading into next season as they close in on third place this season.
Rangers boss Michael Beale was ridiculed for suggesting Aberdeen are Scotland’s third force with Hearts’ collapse and the sacking of Robbie Neilson ensuring the Gers boss has the last laugh.
