Often Partisan

South of the Border – Shinnie Signs

Birmingham City have today confirmed that 23-year-old Scottish midfielder Andrew Shinnie has signed a pre-contract agreement that will see him come to St Andrews when his contract with Inverness expires at the end of June.

The Scottish international has signed a three year deal having made forty-one appearances for Caley Thistle this season, scoring fifteen goals – eleven of which have come in the Scottish Premier League.

Judging by the fans on Caleythistleonline, ICT will be sorry to see the Aberdeen-born midfielder come to Blues after some excellent performances this season. Shinnie joined Inverness after impressing on trial in 2011 and after a tough opening season found form this term to become one of Inverness’ bright stars – eventually earning himself a call up as a late replacement to the Scotland squad in November of last year, making his debut against Luxembourg.

He generally plays as a midfield playmaker, and having watched him on YouTube I would suggest he would take a Ravel Morrison sort of role in a midfield five. He can also play wide – as he did for Scotland, and can shoot with either foot.

As the posters on the Caley forums opine, it’s a tough step up from the Highlands to Blues as Adam Rooney found out when he signed on a Bosman two seasons ago. The consensus on their forums is that Shinnie is at a stage of his career where he needs to play and I’m curious as to how much first team action Shinnie will get straight off. That being said, with the number of players out of contract at the end of the season it’s another body we will definitely have and at 23, he’s at the right sort of age for us to be looking at.

It could well be that Shinnie isn’t the only Scot to make the trip south of the border; as reported by my friends at Tilton Strugglers at the weekend it’s looking increasingly likely that Mark Shankland and Robbie Crawford will also both join Blues in the summer. The Ayrshire Post reported at the weekend the deal could be worth as much £250,000 to Ayr United and it’s my understanding the deal could very well be done soon.

Whilst I can accept that some people may be underwhelmed by Blues looking north of the border for young talent the brutal fact remains that without a cash injection in the summer it’s going to be financially tricky and because of that Blues are going to have to look around for raw potential in some of the cheaper divisions. That being said, I’m quite looking forwards to Blues bringing in a few youngsters – if one works out and becomes a first team regular it would pretty much make signing the rest worthwhile in the long run.

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59 Responses to “South of the Border – Shinnie Signs”

  • Qas says:
    April 23, 2013 at 12:11 am

    He looks a good signing, very technically gifted, seems a natural replacement for Ravel, who will be sorely missed next season. I’m glad to see we’re not signing yet another player in the twilight of their career, we have a young exciting prospect in Shinnie and I hope Clark can get the best out of him.

    This summer should be interesting to say the very least, Clark has already told the seniors at the club who he wants to keep and who he doesn’t. If we can hold onto Curtis Davies and Nathan Redmond in particular, then next season could be very entertaining

  • Letsby Avenue says:
    April 23, 2013 at 1:48 am

    “Shinnie Signs” !!!!!

    Gordon Bennet…I take it that this is the first sign of Spring ?

    Well done AJ…..

    :-)

  • BhamCityJulian says:
    April 23, 2013 at 3:39 am

    It’s a big, big step up but at least if he’s good enough he’ll get picked.

  • Gav_bcfc says:
    April 23, 2013 at 6:06 am

    Think Shankland is only 17, certainly not going to walk
    straight into the team. Good to see Clark getting on with
    plans for next season. Like it or not, this is the level
    we are at now with the finances.

  • sutton apex says:
    April 23, 2013 at 6:06 am

    young and hungry, out to prove a point – clark knows this is the market he’s in, a few scots together and they will hopefully settle in better. clarks babes to cause chaos in championship next season – i hope so !!

  • Blue Steve says:
    April 23, 2013 at 7:02 am

    Almajir. Its my understanding that if you move on a Bosman and are under 24 then a fee has to be set by tribunal. Is this the case with Shinnie?

  • Big Al says:
    April 23, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Many have made the step-up from the Scottish and Irish leagues very easily. I recall when we signed Barry Ferguson people made the same comments. Cardiff just won the league with a team that included 3 players signed from the SPL.

  • Paul Carter -Poster of the year 2013 he says:
    April 23, 2013 at 9:42 am

    If I may veer off the subject Dan

    My relegation predictor. I think it’s between Wigan and the scum. Here’s how I think it’ll go.

    Wigan current points 31, +4 goal difference over the scum

    Fixtures and my predicted points:
    Spurs H 0
    WBA A 0
    Swansea H 1
    Arsenal A 0
    Scum H 3

    Total 35 points

    Scum current points 34

    Fixtures and my predicted points:
    Sunderland H 0
    Norwich A 1
    Chelsea H 0
    Wigan A 0

    Total 35 points

    Scum to go down on goal difference (please God)

  • zenzero says:
    April 23, 2013 at 10:39 am

    Nice to finally sign someone with a bit of youth. May it long continue.

  • dave mann says:
    April 23, 2013 at 11:06 am

    as much as ide like to agre with you paul, i think wigans time is up mate
    theyve had there good runs at the end off the season, but this time villa
    will survive by the skin off there teeth.( i really hope ime wrong, please god.)
    Kro.

  • Keith says:
    April 23, 2013 at 11:23 am

    Wigan have a rotten run-in, but it could well go down to the last day… Wigan v Vile. If it does, you’d maybe fancy Wigan at home, but somehow, I can see Villa being safe before then. Tbh, I don’t care if Wigan go down, after the way their chairman and manager defended McManaman’s gbh on Haidara. Disgusting. So, either Wigan or the vile go down. Result either way.

    On Andrew Shinnie, I think that he’s been bought as a ready-made replacement for Morrison, as I can see him being included in West Ham’s squad for next season after his progress here. If not, it’ll be good to have two players who can play comfortably in that forward midfield position (plus Shinnie has goals in him.)

  • bluedan says:
    April 23, 2013 at 11:38 am

    i think wigan can beat baggies, but i also think villa should beat norwich and sunderland. villa going down would make my season. the club would implode. i somehow cant see it. i do however think it will come down to the last game of the season.

  • DoctorD says:
    April 23, 2013 at 11:39 am

    I know this blog is not the place for discussing Villa, but if I could be contentious for a second, does it not reflect badly on Birmingham as a destination for leading footballers if both of the city’s clubs are not in the top division? Part of me wants Villa to go down of course but it can’t be healthy if Birmingham and the wider West Midlands is viewed as a footballing backwater. Just a thought.

    • Gav_bcfc says:
      April 23, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Footballers just go to whoever offers them the best contract.
      V***a would still pay big wages in the championship so would
      get decent players.
      Anyway they ain’t going down.

    • Ali Duncan says:
      April 23, 2013 at 12:50 pm

      Doctor D – these comments echo exactly what a good friend of mine has said recently on this subject. He also goes by the nickname Doctor Doom – are you one and the same Sir?

  • dave mann says:
    April 23, 2013 at 11:59 am

    at the end off the day doctor, i only care about our club and what
    people think off our club. i go to most games home and away and
    fans slagging of wolves, villa or any other midlands club doesent
    really bother me to be honest as long as they dont slag off blues.
    KRO.

  • Tony says:
    April 23, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    Its natural for a blues fan to refer to Villa as Filth ,Vile, etc, they call us far worse,lets see them relegated never mind about Childish who cares.
    The scots lad looks useful ,shot in either foot and a decent build, normally the scots travel,well they settle quickly.

  • zenzero says:
    April 23, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    Wolves in the 3rd tier, Villa and Blues in the Championship and West Bron flying the flag for the midlands. Not great for the midlands but i must say id quite enjoy it, hopefully it will only be a one season wonder. The derby match in the Championship would be horrific, I could see it going back to the dark days of fights and pitch invasions.

  • Paul Carter -Poster of the year 2013 he says:
    April 23, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Dan I’d be interested to see your points breakdown?

  • Paul Carter -Poster of the year 2013 he says:
    April 23, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    What you working on?

    When are the season ticket prices coming out and the pre season venues?

  • Paul Carter -Poster of the year 2013 he says:
    April 23, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    You sound a bit angry today Dan everything ok?

    Heard a rumour that it’s France this year?

  • Quokkasskip says:
    April 23, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    Shinnie is a better signing than I hoped for. He has ever chance of playing. Gomis, Spector, Morrison and maybe Fahey lost in the summer, this lad will be playing every week. (if he doesnt fall out with Clark)

  • Evesham Blue says:
    April 23, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    Direct replacement for Morrison by the looks of things. A midfielder who can set up and chip in with goals is worth the gamble on. Cant be that bad if a team like Inverness CT can finish 3rd and he has broke into the U21’s?

    LC has looked at many players and we havent signed them so he must have seen the potential. Fits the bill tho. Young, hungry, powerful and free/cheap

    The scouting and academy set up is paying dividends. Wasnt Fahey from a “lower” Irish league?

  • Atahualpa is a BlueNose says:
    April 23, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Considering our circumstances, this is a good signing. Versatile, young, hungry and talented – a decent enough combination. It is good that LC and the club management team in the UK have started to put in place their plans for the forthcoming season. It will be a shame to see Morrison depart because it’s plain to see his skill on the ball and in the latter half of the season he has been impressive. But the future is where it’s at and I’m really looking forward to see how the team starts looking and shaping up for next season.

    It would be great to see Crapston Vanilla in the same league as us next season; the edge on trying to achieve promotion and league positioning would have an added spice to it.

  • StaffsBlue says:
    April 23, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    I thought it was Aston Vanilla…. the team everyone licks!

    I have to say, I’ve missed the Birmingham derbies. Would be nice to see the lesser Birmingham team visiting St Andrews again for a tonking. Roll on next season.

    • Atahualpa is a BlueNose says:
      April 23, 2013 at 6:17 pm

      ” I thought it was Aston Vanilla…… The team everyone licks!”. I like, StaffsBlue…

      • StaffsBlue says:
        April 24, 2013 at 9:17 am

        Believe it or not Atahualpa, I first used that one way back in 1967. Another favourite of mine from back then, when an opposition player went down “hurt,” we used to shout “Stay down mate, sh*t’s good for the grass.” :-)

  • bluenoseneil says:
    April 23, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    I love the fact that some of you are so underwhelmed by our first meaningful transfer activity of the ‘new’ Clark era that you have resorted to predicting how and when Villa will go down

    Focus on Blues and the rest will take care of itself, trust me.

    WELCOME to Andrew Shinnie. Lets hope he can be the next big thing for Blues!!

    KRO

  • Evesham blue says:
    April 23, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    I am pretty hopeful about Blues on the pitch at least next season. A young vibrant team. I mean is there any reason that we can’t have a pop at the playoffs? The off field stuff I am past caring now. I know LC is ambitious and hopefully he has learnt from his mistakes

  • jazzzy786 says:
    April 23, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    We cant afford 300k for caddis and are willing to spend 250k on a hopeful from Ayr. Something wrong here. Lets hope Shinnie makes the grade.

  • Tony says:
    April 23, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    Talking of Cally thistle and being controversial for a Moment, is that not the team managed by Terry Butcher?.
    He seems to have done very well up there for some time now.

  • andy says:
    April 23, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Its good to see Lee Clark making a start on re-vamping Birmingham, I think with the crop of talented youngsters already at the club and Clark’s ability to pick out talent from elsewhere, there is a bright future ahead.

  • BhamCityJulian says:
    April 23, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    I can see Wigan going down too unless they can snap out of their pre-Wembley mindset

  • mark says:
    April 23, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    future looking bright- shine a light……

  • Oldbluenose says:
    April 23, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    The ” Telegraph ” proclaims that we are signing the Motherwell goalkeeper Randolph, too replace Jack Butland, ??.

  • Atahualpa is a BlueNose says:
    April 24, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    With splendid names such as “Shinnie” and “Randolph” , there has to mostly definately got to be a chant or song that can be brought to life by the faithful.


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