THE Shinnie family will be out in force when Aberdeen and Hibs face-off in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Saturday – but no colours will be worn.
There will, however, be excitement and nerves in equal measure as brothers Graeme and Andrew run out of the tunnel, the former in the red of Aberdeen and the latter wearing the green of Hibernian.
It will be a world away from the days of Britain’s most celebrated – and successful – footballing brothers, Jack and Bobby Charlton who, when they faced each other in some epic Leeds United versus Manchester United games in the 1960s, put brotherly love aside for the duration.
Read more: Hibernian's cup specialist Fraser Fyvie gunning for hometown heroes Aberdeen at Hampden
They may have won World Cup winners’ medals with England in 1966 and featured many times together for their country, but one story goes that when Jack’s team-mate Norman Hunter, never one to shirk a tackle, asked him what he should do about Bobby during a game at Elland Road, Charlton Sr gave the instruction that his younger brother should be kicked to prevent him doing damage.
The Shinnies may not have quite the same aggressive attitude towards each other on the pitch but fraternal affection will be suspended for the duration of the semi-final as the sides jostle for a place against Celtic or Rangers in the final on May 27.
Graeme, the Aberdeen captain, says that despite the significance of what it is at stake he has shared a joke with his sibling but that he will apply the Charlton rule to any on-pitch encounters they may face.
"We were having a laugh saying it will be one of us chasing the other. We are both professionals and it is a game we will both look forward to," said the younger Shinnie. "We are playing for two big clubs in Scotland and it is a match that we would hope would come around one day and it has. It will be a great occasion for both of us and the families.
Read more: Hibernian's cup specialist Fraser Fyvie gunning for hometown heroes Aberdeen at Hampden
"I wouldn't say it is awkward playing against each other. As soon as the game kicks off he is just another player and I will be the same to him. After the game we will have a chat. One of us will obviously be more unhappy than the other. But we will both be there at the final, supporting each other. It is good for the family that there will be one of us playing in the Scottish Cup final.”
Shinnie, who made his name as a full-back at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is now a key presence in the middle of the park for Aberdeen. He lifted the Scottish Cup in his last game for the Highlanders with a 2-1 win over Falkirk two years ago but by then, he’d already agreed a pre-contract deal to join Derek McInnes’ side. He says he is desperate to double-up on a winners’ medal.
“I would love that," he said. “Cup finals are the best days out; winning trophies is everything you want as a footballer. It is a game I am looking forward to and one that I hope we can get through.”
Meanwhile, brother Andrew, two years older at 27, is scheduled to finish his season-long loan with Hibernian at the end of the season and he’s keen to return to his parent club Birmingham City with a Hampden medal.
But Graeme is in the dark over how things will work out for his older sibling at the England Championship club where Harry Redknapp has just taken over as manager following the resignation of Gianfranco Zola.
City are 20th in the table, three points above the relegation zone with three games left, and travel to local rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.
"I don't know what Andrew’s plans are,” said Graeme. "He still has another year at Birmingham. Having just helped Hibs gain promotion to the Premiership and with the Scottish Cup semi-final to come I don't think he will be thinking further ahead than that."
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