Some words spoken by Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes seem to have all but confirmed that the duo of Graeme Shinnie and Gary Mackay-Steven will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Both players are out of contract at the end of the season, and neither player has as yet signed a new deal. McInnes’ words seem to make that look like a very remote prospect.
“If the two boys are here next season then brilliant. If they’re not we carry on without them” McInnes told the Evening Express.
“Having players leaving in the past can be disheartening but it’s part of the job. We enjoy working with good players and sometimes we lose good players, so we just need to find more.”
It would be a real blow for the Dons if the duo were to depart. Both players have been massively influential in their time at the club.
They have been key men in helping the Dons to four consecutive second placed finishes in the Premiership.
Should the duo leave, Aberdeen will have a tough job replacing them. However, at least McInnes seems to be well-aware of the situation.
He seems to be looking at replacements already and that is a good sign going forward for Aberdeen.