GRAEME Shinnie, the Aberdeen captain who made his long-awaited debut for Scotland against Peru in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has admitted his joy at finally playing for his country has been tempered by the tragic death of Pittodrie great Neale Cooper.

Shinnie was upset to learnt that Cooper, who played for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side when they beat Real Madrid in Gothenburg in 1983 to lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup, had passed away at the age of just 54 on Monday.

He met “Tattie”, who was just as renowned for being a larger-than-life personality off the park just as much as he was for being an outstanding player on it, on numerous occasions over the years and was shocked when the tragic news was broken to him.

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“I found out on Monday and I was absolutely gutted,” he said. “I have been with Neale so many times and I have been in and around his company so many times.

“He was a great guy and an absolute gentleman. He was a laugh-a-minute and everybody loved him. You can see that from the tributes he has had. He was a legend at Aberdeen FC and was an unbelievable footballer.”

Shinnie added: “I didn’t even know that Neale had never won a cap. It is amazing a player as good as Neale never played for Scotland. I read the Franz Beckenbauer quotes (the Scot had reminded the German great of himself during his playing days) and what he said just shows the quality had as a footballer.

“He achieved so much but you would never know because he was so grounded. Neale was just a lovely, lovely guy. I was involved in a few golf and radio events with Neale and also a few times in the hospitality lounges at Pittodrie. Everybody will tell you what a great guy he was and that is there for all to see with the tributes on social media.

“He had a great career in playing, coaching and management. Being a local lad from Aberdeen he is somebody young kids can look up to. He is and always will be an Aberdeen legend and that is why everyone connected with the club is so devastated by the news. He has gone too soon and all our thoughts are with his family, friends and all his loved ones.”

Shinnie, who came on for Dylan McGeouch in the second half of the friendly in the National Stadium and produced a fine block on Jefferson Farfan, admitted that playing for Scotland was everything he had anticipated it would be.

“My first feeling was one of relief at finally getting on and getting my cap,” he said. “I have been desperate for it for so long and everybody knows that. It means absolutely everything to. I have got my first cap under my belt and that has been something I have been desperate to do for a long time now.

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“It was amazing, one of the best atmospheres I have experienced. The crowds inside and even outside the stadium were absolutely unbelievable. It is something different and maybe you would only see in European or South American football. It is different and it is good because as a footballer you are always learning from games and experiences like this.”

The 26-year-old is now hopeful that Alex McLeish, who handed debuts to no fewer than seven players in the Peru match, will start him in the game against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium this Saturday.

“It has come around now and maybe I can play a part in the Mexico game and maybe get my first full international start,” he said. That has to be my next aim. I just want to keep progressing and to get better and better every time.

“I have heard a lot about it. With a 90,000 capacity, it is an opportunity of a lifetime. I am just delighted to be here and part of it. I think it will be slightly warmer in Mexico so that will be another challenge as well.”