Derby County midfielder Graeme Shinnie put in one of his best performances since joining the Rams in the 1-1 draw at Championship rivals Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Scotland international has experienced a mixed time at Pride Park.
Shinnie was signed on a pre-contract agreement back in 2019 by former boss Frank Lampard. However, upon his arrival, Lampard had moved on to Chelsea.
(Photo by Jon Hobley/ MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images).
It meant the Shinnie had to win over current manager Phillip Cocu, with the Dutchman originally suggesting the midfielder had to improve tactically to break into the side.
The former Aberdeen man was subsequently in and out of the starting XI last term.
But this season, Shinnie has started eight Championship games to date and his latest performance on the south coast left many Derby supporters purring.
Shinnie outstanding today 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🐏🐏 #dcfc
— Stu (@stuinz3) October 31, 2020
Shinnie mopping up everywhere like an angry, beardy Scottish janitor. He’s been excellent today. #dcfc
— Steve Bloomer’s Washing (@SteveBloomerPod) October 31, 2020
Graham Shinnie has been absolutely outstanding, yet again.#dcfc #dcfcfans
— Cocu’s Rams 🐏🤍🖤 (@derbytwits) October 31, 2020
Think what makes Shinnie’s form impressive is that he was a Lampard signing, and not really a Cocu player. Could have sulked but scrapped to get in the team. #dcfc
— Samuel 🐑 (@DCFCMiguel13) October 31, 2020
Would have taken a point before kick off. Can’t help but think a bit of attacking intent in the second half would have gained more. Shinnie with one of the best individual performances in a Derby shirt I can remember in a long long time #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Nige (@NigeBriden) October 31, 2020
Positive first half and defended resolutely in the second but a tough ask to see it out. Despite that we had the best two chances of the half. Unbeaten in three and Shinnie was once again exceptional
— stace (@stace_dcfc) October 31, 2020
Shinnie again superb today #MOTM for me, going to be a long hard season if we can't take games on after going in front #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Dan Wilkinson (@dan_WilkinsonF1) October 31, 2020
Shinnie scored Derby’s only goal, pouncing on a loose ball in the box following Wayne Rooney’s blocked free-kick and flicking the ball into the top corner.
But it wasn’t his goal which marked such an impressive performance.
Alongside Jason Knight in central midfield, Shinnie forms a midfield partnership full of willing running, an abundance of energy while being tenacious in the tackle.
Shinnie posted a whopping nine tackles and three interceptions over the 90 minutes.
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images).
Both Shinnie and Knight have made that central midfield area their own, keeping out the likes of Max Bird, Duane Holmes and George Evans who have dropped to the bench.
The draw leaves Derby in the bottom three. However, performances are improving, and back-to-back home games next week could see the Rams shoot up the table.
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