Aberdeen defender Graeme Shinnie enjoyed the best year of his career in 2015 but he believes 2016 can be even better.
It may have been a disappointing end to 2015 for the Dons after two home draws but it was a memorable 12 months for Aberdonian Shinnie and he believes this year can be even greater.
He said: “It has been a great year for me. Winning the Scottish Cup with Caley Thistle was special and my time at Aberdeen so far has been fantastic.
“As a club we have progressed well and there is a lot to look forward to in 2016.”
Despite the frustrating end to 2015, Shinnie insists his side can keep the pressure on Celtic in the second half of the season despite squandering two chances to go top of the Scottish Premiership.
Two home draws against Caley Thistle and Partick Thistle denied the Dons the opportunity to put further pressure on the Scottish champions last week.
With Aberdeen’s trip to St Johnstone on Sunday falling victim to the weather Derek McInnes’ players now find themselves three points behind the Hoops, who beat Partick 1-0 on Saturday.
Shinnie is frustrated his side passed up two chances to go top of the table but is confident his team can continue to challenge at the head of matters.
He said: “It’s frustrating we’ve had six points there for the taking in the last two home matches and haven’t taken them. To only take two points from two home games is disappointing.
“It was one of those nights against Partick where it was very frustrating but we have to move on.
“The whole season we’ve just been taking it game by game and, unfortunately, the Partick game was just one of those nights where it wouldn’t go in.
“Performance-wise we did well. We defended quite well, they had a couple of chances late on but we were pushing for the game at that point. Before that it felt comfortable and it felt like we were the team going to go and win it.
“The ball just wouldn’t go in and maybe we lacked that little bit of luck and quality. We got into good areas and created some clear opportunities but the final effort of putting the ball in the back of the net is what we didn’t do and we’ll to improve that.”
While Shinnie and his team-mates switch their attention to the Scottish Cup and this weekend’s trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts, the Dons will go into the game without on-loan duo Ryan McLaughlin and Josh Parker after both players returned to their clubs.
Parker, who made one start and six substitute appearances, has returned to Red Star Belgrade, while Liverpool full back McLaughlin started once and made three substitute appearances for the Dons.