GRAEME Shinnie insists the speculation linking Derek McInnes to the Rangers vacancy was not to blame for Aberdeen’s dismal Ibrox display.

Instead, the side’s captain said the Pittodrie players need to hold their hands up after being humbled 3-0 by Rangers in Glasgow.

McInnes remains a leading candidate for the job at Ibrox, despite stressing last week he is happy where he is.

But Shinnie brushed off suggestions that the rumours which continue to swirl around his boss were behind the sloppy start that cost them the chance to move nine points clear of their rivals for second spot.

“It has been going on for weeks,” said the midfielder. “The players have no interest in that.

“It is up to us to go on the pitch and deliver the goods.

“It was so disappointing as we just didn’t get going at all in the first half.

“We got off to the worst start we could have asked for.

“We wanted to frustrate them and get the crowd on their back but the opposite happened and the early goal gave them a massive lift.

“We simply weren’t good enough in the opening period. It gave us too much to do, although we did play better in the second half.”

Aberdeen were well off the pace for 45 minutes as James Tavernier and Carlos Pena put Rangers ahead, while Tavernier wrapped up a stunning win after the break with his second.

But McInnes’ team will have the chance for swift revenge, with Rangers due at Pittodrie for Sunday’s lunchtime clash.

And Shinnie insists his team will be more fired up this weekend.

He said: “There’s no better game for us to bounce back in than this one on Sunday. We can put things right and we need to do that.

“Everyone is gutted, naturally, after a performance like that. The motivation will be there to right a wrong and do a lot better than we did tonight.

“We need to have a good hard look at ourselves and make sure we’re better prepared.”