Graeme Shinnie is determined Aberdeen focus on football matters rather than getting caught up in any managerial speculation.

It’s been almost three weeks since veteran boss Neil Warnock stepped aside from his role as interim manager. And you would have to rewind to January 31 for when Barry Robson left the Pittodrie hot seat.

That’s created uncertainty over the long-term position, especially with Aberdeen languishing three points off the relegation play-off places and facing fellow strugglers Ross County on Saturday knowing anything other than a win could drag them into bother.

Shinnie, 32, was asked if he was surprised by the fact there wasn't a permanent appointment made during the recent international break after the Aberdeen board claimed talks were at an “advanced stage” when Warnock departed.

He responded: "No, not really surprised. There is no surprises in football, I've been in it long enough to know the in's and out's of it, and the international break being a good chance to rest a bit and also work on some things." 

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Shinnie also revealed the Aberdeen squad were made aware of the situation by the Pittodrie board during a team meeting on Monday. And the experienced midfielder feels that was the correct call in order to give them plenty time to focus on the actual football - with Saturday's match a real 'six pointer'. 

"It's good for the players to get their minds set," said Shinnie. "Things were addressed on Monday morning, with the plan of what was going to go on this week, so that set the record straight for the players and the staff going into Saturday.

"At this stage of the season for us as players, and even for the staff just now, we have to work tirelessly in training and through the week to build up for some big games, so that is where our sole focus has been.

"It's all outside noise and in football no matter what stage you are at, no matter what you are fighting for, in my career anyway, it has been keeping the outside noise away and that is what we have done.

"I stay away from it. I stay in my own little bubble. I stay away from social media, I don't read papers and whatever else, so I focus on in here, working day in, day out."

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​Aberdeen have struggled at home this season - winning only three of their 14 league games in the Granite City which contributed to the departures of both Warnock and Robson. 

But Shinnie believes they can build on their 1-0 away victory against Motherwell prior to the two week break by showing the Red Army exactly what they are capable of.

"We know what we have in the squad, we know the capabilities that are in this building," added the Aberdeen skipper.

"It's trying to bring that out in games because we haven't done it enough this season in the league especially.

"It's vitally important that we build on the Motherwell performance and result and bring that in to the game on Saturday and try to get a bit of a run going."