Graeme Shinnie rejects Kris Boyd's 'Aberdeen up for it because it's Rangers' barb after Celtic thrashing

Former Rangers striker Boyd was on pundit duties for Sky Sports and he blasted the Aberdeen players for an "embarrassing" performance, adding: "I'm sure Barry will have absolutely no problem in getting them up for the next game, that's for sure, because Rangers are in town. Fact. It's true. For me, that's a sad indictment of the players."

Matches between Aberdeen and Rangers are often fiercely contested and the Pittodrie side have had their fair share of success over their Ibrox counterparts in recent years with seven wins since Rangers returned to the top flight in 2016, compared to just one victory over Celtic across the same period.

Shinnie, however, inisists that Aberdeen players do not reserve extra enthusiasm for matches against any particular club as he addressed Boyd’s claims ahead of the match at Pittodrie this Sunday.

"I think the manager would be able to get us up for any game, especially after that," the Dons skipper told Sky Sports. "As players, if you don't want to make amends for a defeat like that, then you're in the wrong sport. So we're all looking forward to the game on Sunday. It wouldn't matter who it was, we'd be right up for the game."

On the intense nature of the games against Rangers, Shinnie added: "They are good. I love them. Big games is why you are at club like Aberdeen. The stadium will be packed and noisy and that comes with an expectation for the team to do well. You've got to thrive on that and bring your own personality and quality into the games.

"I wouldn't say it's an easier game [than facing Celtic]. These games are always tough and Rangers are in very good form under a new manager. We know it will be a very hard game for us, but we also know if we play to our capabilities at home with the crowd behind us we're capable of winning the game."

Asked for his thoughts on Boyd's criticism of the performance against Celtic, Shinnie added: "I think he's just stating the obvious a little bit. It is disappointing, frustrating and embarrassing when you've been beaten 6-0. When you have these defeats you need to take criticism on the chin. We've had some good results away from home at Ibrox, away to POAK, we did really well away to Frankfurt, and you take praise out of those games. On the flip side, when you don't play well, you need to accept the criticism, take it on board, and turn things around."

Aberdeen claimed a 3-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox in the previous meeting between the sides this season in what proved to be the final nail in the coffin for manager Michael Beale, who was sacked and replaced by Philippe Clement.

Shinnie recalled: "We defended really well as a team and we broke and countered well that day. And we took our chances when they came aorund. We need to be the same. Rangers are on good form. They will look to come and attack so we need to be right up for it defensively and bring our attacking powers to the game as well.”