Shaughnessy sure Aberdeen will remain grounded

Aberdeen defender Joe Shaughnessy insists the Dons are not getting ahead of themselves, despite the prospect of a cup double.

Derek McInnes could end their 19-year wait for a trophy next month when they take on Inverness in the League Cup final. The Pittodrie men also have a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Dumbarton to look forward to as they go in search of further glory. But before thinking about either of those matches, second-placed Aberdeen still have three Premiership fixtures – starting with Partick at Firhill today – to tackle as they look to claim a league runners-up slot for the first time since 1993.

Irish full-back Shaughnessy, though, insists none of the Aberdeen squad are looking that far yet. He told RedTV: “I think we just need to take one game at a time. We know what we’re capable of. We just need to keep preparing and take each game and each opponent as it comes.”

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Partick have yet to win a league game at home since their return to the top flight last summer, but Shaughnessy is convinced the Jags will not give Aberdeen an easy ride in Maryhill. “It’s going to be a tough game,” said the 21-year-old. “They had a good performance against Motherwell at the weekend when they lost 4-3 and might have been disappointed not to win so I am sure they will be out to prove a point against us.”

Meanwhile, Partick midfielder Prince Buaben prepares to face former mentor Barry Robson having himself assumed the role of passing on his wisdom. Robson talked a teenage Buaben through games when they played together in the Dundee United midfield. Now the 25-year-old Ghana international faces Robson as one of the most experienced heads in the Jags midfield.

Buaben said: “When I was at Dundee United I had Lee Wilkie and Barry Robson, they always kept talking to me. Once you pass that stage and younger players come along, you expect to do the same thing for them. I try my best to talk to the players and hopefully they take it on board.”