High praise for Inverness's Scotland U21 defender
GRAEME Shinnie has been touted as a front runner for Caley Thistle’s player of the season award by manager Terry Butcher.
The full-back, who made his Scotland under-21s debut as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 loss to Italy in Edinburgh midweek, is set to return to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Kilmarnock.
Despite the defeat, the 20-year-old enjoyed his chance to finally represent his country after being an unused substitute for a fixture against the Netherlands in February.
He thanked supporters on social networking website Twitter, adding: “It was good to watch and play against the Italians.”
With 26 appearances and one goal — the decider in a 2-1 home win against Kilmarnock in August — he has had a promising season after recovery from three months on the sidelines recovery after a major stomach operation.
He underwent surgery just days before he could have won his first Scotland under-21 cap in February last year.
It ended his debut campaign on a low note, but he has returned in impressive fashion according to his manager.
“His participation with Scotland is a great experience for him and this time last year he was a long way from playing, let alone representing his country,” Butcher said.
“He has come a long this year and I think he must be in the running for our player of year because he has had a tremendous season and that bodes well for the future.”
The club’s top scorer Gregory Tade has also given him a stamp of approval.
At times the pair have featured as a dual attacking threat on Caley Thistle’s left flank.
“There is no denying he is a good left back and I call him Dani Alves [Barcelona’s Brazilian defender] because he makes run, likes to play football and is composed and I have nothing but praise for him.
“He is a prospect for the future and has obvious potential to carry on progressing and hopefully he won’t get any injuries because that could set him back.
“But I don’t think there are many left backs as good as him in Scotland at his age.”
> More on Caley Thistle in Friday's Courier.