Derby County, Bristol City and Wigan Athletic were keen on Aberdeen’s Graeme Shinnie.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says Derby County won the race to sign Graeme Shinnie due to the draw of the club and the potential to play Premier League football, Aberdeen Evening Express report.
“There were several clubs in England that had shown an interest and I think we would have fought that off in Graeme’s mind. However, the interest from Derby, with the potential of the club, has been too big a draw for him,” McInnes explained.
“Graeme wouldn’t have just left us to go to any club in England although I know he was keen to try down there. Derby was too big a pull for him and I fully understand that.”
Derby managed to fend off fellow Championship clubs Bristol City and Wigan Athletic for his signature, while newly-promoted Luton Town are another club listed by the Aberdeen Evening Express as taking a strong interest.
The Rams managed to pip Bristol City to sixth spot in the Championship. With just three games remaining, Frank Lampard’s side went to Ashton Gate and beat the Robins 2-0 in a potential playoff decider.
Derby will now face old rivals Leeds United over two legs with Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion contesting the other semi-final. It’s all set up to be an intriguing battle for a spot in the Premier League.
While Shinnie will be hoping his new club go all the way, Derby will still be in a strong position if they miss out with Lampard showing plenty of promise in his first campaign as a professional manager.
Derby have been knocking on the door for a place in the Premier League for several seasons. This will be their fourth playoff campaign in six seasons, while they managed top 10 finishes in the other two campaigns.
Wigan, meanwhile, finished down in 18th position and don’t have the financial means to compete with Bristol City or Derby.
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