Derby County’s Graeme Shinnie was linked with a move to Bristol City.
New Derby County signing Graeme Shinnie may now be pondering his decision to join the Rams over Bristol City after failing to make the recent first team squads and instead featuring for the U23 side.
According to the Bristol Post, Bristol City were keen on signing Shinnie with the midfielder leaving Aberdeen at the end of his contract last season. He ultimately joined the Rams on a three-year deal.
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes told the Aberdeen Evening Express that the 28-year-old midfielder chose Derby over Championship side Bristol City due to the potential of the club.
The Rams were one game away from reaching the Premier League last season, narrowly losing in the Championship playoff final to Aston Villa.
Shinnie agreed to join Derby while Frank Lampard was in charge. However, Lampard has since joined Chelsea and his replacement Phillip Cocu has his own ideas and the Scotland international seemingly doesn’t fit in.
Shinnie started games in pre-season and the recent Carabao Cup tie at Scunthorpe United. But he has yet to make an appearance in the Championship, and Cocu’s latest comments suggests he isn’t ready.
Derby have George Evans, Tom Huddlestone, Krystian Bielik, Kieran Dowell and exciting academy ace Jason Knight ahead of him in the midfield pecking order. Cocu’s focus is to develop youngsters with Max Bird and Louie Sibley also knocking on the door. It doesn’t bode well for Shinnie.
Bristol City, meanwhile, are light on midfield options with Marlon Pack joining Cardiff City in the transfer window. Manager Lee Johnson has had to change his system early on this season to patch up his side.
The Robins signed Adam Nagy and the highly-rated Han-Noah Massengo, but both foreign players have no experience of English football and Johnson is likely to ease them in to the first team picture.
Shinnie would have almost been guaranteed at regular start at Ashton Gate. At Derby, it’s difficult to see where he is going to get in and opportunities could be few and far between this season.
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