Attacking midfielder Andrew Shinnie, who began his career at Rangers, says he’s open to a return to the Premiership when his deal at Charlton Athletic expires [Daily Record].
Shinnie came through the youth setup at Ibrox and made his first-team debut in 2007 in a league match against Aberdeen.
Later that year, he scored in a Scottish Youth Cup final win over Celtic, before being awarded a three-year professional contract.
Two loan spells at Dundee followed, but he wasn’t able to establish himself at senior level back at Ibrox and was eventually released at the end of the 2010/11 season.
Since then, he’s turned out for Inverness Caley Thistle, Birmingham City, Rotherham United, Hibernian, Luton Town and Charlton.
The 31-year-old, who has a senior Scotland cap, signed a short-term deal at the Valley in February following a successful loan stint but didn’t start any of the Addicks’ final nine League One fixtures and is soon set to be released.
Shinnie hasn’t played in Scotland since a 2016/17 loan stint at Easter Road but says he’d consider returning home for next season.
“I wouldn’t rule out a move back to the Scottish Premiership or even staying in England,” he said [Daily Record]. “I would look at anything. I will be looking to find a new club over the summer. I am open to anything.”
“I feel I still have a lot to offer. I am fit and ready to go and I feel I have been playing well. I am just looking for an exciting opportunity with an ambitious club.
“I have that experience and that along with my qualities I’m sure can help a team to push on next season. So I am open to anything. I love football and if it is a club that wants to achieve things then I would be open to anything.”
Shinnie, whose younger brother Graeme is a former Aberdeen captain, has forged a decent career in the game with 47 goals and 51 assists from 345 senior appearances.
Given that he’s been playing at a good level at Charlton, he’d likely make a smart signing on a free for a Premiership club ahead of next season.
League One is a division Rangers have signed from in the recent past, with the Gers snapping up Joe Aribo from Charlton in 2019.
However, a return to Ibrox is unlikely for Shinnie, with the recruitment team likely looking for a younger, higher level player this summer as the club prepares for Champions League qualifiers.
In other news, an Instagram post confirms an international has left Glasgow as his Rangers stint comes to an end.
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