Imagine going into your work’s canteen for a coffee and Wayne Rooney is sitting right there.
He’s not just visiting. Initially, he’s there to be your partner in the engine room.
After that he’ll be your gaffer. A world-renowned figurehead to lead you through some dark times.
It sounds like some weird dream after a night on the sauce.
But that’s what happened to Graeme Shinnie at Derby County.
And it probably just about sums up a crazy three years for the Scot, which also involved Frank Lampard, a last-day survival from the drop, administration – and being sold to help keep County afloat.
But that first sighting of Manchester United and England’s all-time top scorer takes some beating.
“When I heard he was coming to Derby, I thought: ‘It can’t be true, it must be just a rumour,’” says Shinnie.
“Then I went to get a coffee in the canteen one day and he’s sitting there. I just thought: ‘Wow.’
“Football’s a mad game. So mad that it starts to feel normal playing with Wayne Rooney.”
Shinnie had been tempted south by another England legend, ex-Chelsea midfielder Lampard.
At that point, the Rams were a game away from the Premier League.
By the time he arrived in the Midlands from Aberdeen, they’d lost in the play-offs and Lampard had become gaffer at Stamford Bridge.
So it wasn’t an easy start for the former Scotland midfielder.
Eventually he found his feet though. And when Rooney turned up in 2020, Shinnie was awestruck.
In an exclusive interview with MailSport , he admitted: “It was surreal. I grew up watching him on TV.
“Me and my brother Andrew used to love Manchester United.
“Obviously when I signed for the club, it was for Lampard.
“When I met him and was talking about football, it was strange to think: ‘This is my job and this is my manager.’
“You can’t grovel at these guys’ feet and act like a super fan. You have to be professional.
“It was the same with Wayne. It might only be when I finish up, I’ll realise what it means to have played with someone like Rooney.
“His legs had gone a bit at Derby but his technical ability and how he controlled games were a joy to watch. To play alongside him was incredible. He used to say to me: ‘You just do my running and let me have the ball.’
“I was pretty happy with that! That’s my kind of game. I’ll always savour those moments because I got to play with a legend of the game.
“Wayne is just a normal guy – you think these people are different but they’re not. We’d play Call of Duty together and you could speak to him about anything.
“If I called him now he’d chat away. He’s a top guy who wants the best for you.
“And he was a vital part of keeping the Rams staff going through administration.
“People didn’t know if they’d lose their jobs or not but he’d be totally honest with them.”
Survival has been the buzz word at Derby for two years.
In 2020/21, with Shinnie at the heart of their midfield, they stayed in the Championship on the last day of the season to protect
people’s livelihoods.
But little did they know, a year later the club’s very existence would be under threat.
After being hit with a 21-point deduction last term they dropped into League One – despite a valiant effort from Rooney and his players.
For Shinnie, it just added to the whole character-building experience.
He said: “It’s been a whirlwind three years. When I got here, I had to fight for my place. It was a tough time.
“I’d go to away grounds and sit in the stand. One game I didn’t even make the first-team squad.
“But people in Scotland know that I never give up. Eventually, I got my chance against Luton – with my brother in their team. It was bizarre.
“But I got man of the match and the fans could see what I was capable of.
“I played eight games then tore my hamstring tendon, my first ever injury.
“Then when I came back, Rooney had signed so I was fighting for one spot.
“That season was probably even harder. If we’d been relegated, it was on us as players.
“I’ve never felt pressure like those last few games, in terms of taking it home with me and overthinking things.
“We stayed up on the last day but I didn’t celebrate. It was more important for the staff. I could see the relief on their faces that they’d kept their jobs.
“But they obviously didn’t know what was coming next.
“Last season was up there with the hardest times I’ve faced in football.
“We did pre-season with seven trialists and five of them were in the team.
“Then the day before our first league game against Huddersfield, we were told we couldn’t sign anyone.
“That was a bombshell, just crazy – I’d never experienced anything like it before.
“We patched a team together and managed to get a draw.
“But the whole season was like that.
“It would get to a point where you’d say: ‘Right, let’s just concentrate on the football.’
“But then something else would happen to smack you in the face again. It was one low blow after another.
“But it was one of the best dressing-rooms I’ve ever been in – because of what we were going through, we all stuck together.
“The manager (Rooney) led that from the top. His message was: ‘If you’re in it, I’m in it with you.’ We needed that because we had to deal with so many setbacks.”
The fact that Derby were still battling relegation until the end of the campaign despite the 21-point deduction is testament to how well they performed.
But, by then, Shinnie was gone.
Wigan Athletic were able to snap him up in January for a paltry £30,000 because Derby needed the cash.
Shinnie was in a horrible position of not wanting to leave – but keen to help the club survive.
He said: “It was hard at the time. I love Derby and had great relationships with the manager, staff and fans.
“And the move happened so quickly.
“My wife and kids moved back to Scotland and it was unsettling.
“On the Friday, I was told about the transfer. By Sunday I was having my medical and on Monday I trained with Wigan. The club needed it financially. And, for me, it was hard to turn down a long-term contract.
“I didn’t want to leave, I’m a fighter and I’d have loved to stay on.
“But Derby got rid of me and others which probably kept them going until the end of the season.
“It was a mad situation – but that’s life. There are people going through harder times than me.
“I’ve always been a resilient person anyway.
“But the last couple of years have definitely made me stronger because I’ve got life experience that I didn’t have before.
“And if it happens in the future I’ll know I can deal with it.”
