Graeme Shinnie vs Scott Brown could be an intriguing battle this afternoon if both players start the contest.
Aberdeen’s Shinnie has today claimed that he believes the Hoops captain “hates him“, but did acknowledge how good a player Brown was.
This all comes just hours before a huge Betfred Cup final match at Hampden today. Celtic and the Dons disposed of Hearts and Rangers respectively in the semi-final stage. Now, for the third time in two years, they’ll square off in yet another cup final.
Shinnie, however, has made the most intriguing comments in pre-match duty as he explained that he feels Brown can’t stand him.
“I have seen Scott on a couple of occasions and he probably hates me. But he’s more respectful than you think.
“On the pitch he is a battler like I am and he goes all out to win for his team, which is something I respect and love.
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“There will be some points when we come together. It happens and we deal with it like men”
A respect to the hatred
The two certainly don’t get along, that much is clear. Brown famously referred to a tackle by Shinnie last season as a “little boy’s” challenge.
In truth, however, the pair have been crunching into each other for years now. They’re both aggressors whose job is to break up opposition play and recycle possession for their team.
There’s no evidence to suggest that Brown can’t stand his Dons rival though. He’s been angered by some Shinnie treatment in the past. Outside of that, however, there’s no beef between the two men.
You can’t compare the two, however. Brown is head and shoulders above his Dons counterpart. Seven consecutive league titles in-a-row is evidence of that, but there’s also a strong respect between the two players on the pitch.
Chances are that Brown won’t even start today. It would’ve been a tasty battle had he done, but when it matters most, Brown tends to always come out on top.
Instead, however, Brendan Rodgers just can’t drop any of Tom Rogic, Ryan Christie, or Callum McGregor after their Rosenborg displays.
The pair of Brown and Shinnie will likely have to wait for their chance to tussle with each other once more.