GRAEME Shinnie reckons a “dark cloud” was lifted from over Aberdeen fans when Derek McInnes turned down a move to Sunderland.

Shinnie was one of many in the Granite City who believed his manager would be tempted by the offer, but the former St Johnstone and Bristol City manager stayed put and has replenished a squad which finished runners-up to Celtic in the three major competitions last season before losing star names including Ryan Jack, Niall McGinn, Ash Taylor and Jonny Hayes.

Shinnie insists the feelgood factor has returned ahead of the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round tie against Apollon Limassol in Cyprus on Thursday.

“With the players leaving and then the manager looking like he was going to go I think there was a dark cloud hanging over the supporters,” the captain said. “They didn’t know where the club was going to be going.

“But as soon as the manager decided to stay, which was absolutely massive for the club, that gave the supporters a massive buzz and then after that it was new signing after new signing and big signings for us.

“Once that started to happen, the supporters started to realise what it could be like again this year and the European games have shown what we are capable of.

“I am not going to lie. I did expect [McInnes] to go but I think it is a credit to him that he didn’t.

He really enjoys being the manager of Aberdeen.

“He has a great relationship with the chairman and the supporters so I think he has taken that into consideration. He is an ambitious manager and I am sure he still has a lot to achieve at Aberdeen. He knows there is a squad to build on.”

Indeed, Shinnie believes the recruitment of players such as Greg Tansey, Kari Arnason, Greg Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven has strengthened the squad, but accepts challenging Celtic for the league title will be a tall order.

The former Inverness utility player said: “There were big players from the team decided to leave and that’s part of football, but I think the gaffer has done really well in how he has recruited.

“The squad is looking better than what we had so it is just a case of trying to gel and get to know each other as quickly as we can and look to have a positive start to the season.

“It was tough to get close to Celtic last season with what they achieved. Even by our standards we had a good season but we are still a bit away from them. But the league is a lot stronger this year with Hibs being back in it and Hearts and Rangers strengthening. We will look to get a positive start in the league and see where we go from there.”

Shinnie admitted he still keeps watching his 25-yard strike which gave Aberdeen a 2-1 victory over Apollon Limassol in the first leg and acknowledged the importance of getting through into the play-offs.

He said: “It would be massive. Since I have been here we have always nearly been into that round and it has been frustrating in some of the games when we went out.

“We are in a different situation this time, going over with a lead. They are good opposition, especially at home in Cyprus with the heat and the home atmosphere and everything else. It will be a tough game but we know we can do it.”