Graeme Shinnie believes it would be "a massive blow" if Derek McInnes was to leave Aberdeen and says the manager is crucial to plans for future success.

McInnes steered the Dons to both cup finals and second place in the league, finishing as runners-up to Celtic in all three.

Following the disappointment of losing the Scottish Cup final, Shinnie noted links to the Sunderland job but said he hoped McInnes would continue his work with the Pittodrie side.

"I think the manager is focused on his job here and that is all he can do and I know he is looking to strengthen the squad the best he can for next year.

"Its not a very long break that we get but we have been lucky enough to get the extra two weeks which is crucial but he has a massive job on his hands to replace the players and I have every faith in him doing that and when we go again in June.

"It would be a massive blow to lose him.

"I think it shows that he when he came into the club the turnaround in the club has been different class."

Shinnie, who captained the side at Hampden, looked to put the defeat in perspective and said he saw regular appearances at the national stadium as a sign of progress.

"I'm sure at first that if he had come in and he had said he would have been in so many cup finals and finishing so high up the league that the fans would be delighted," he said.

"I think it is crucial for the club to keep a hold of him, he has a job to do to replace some players in the dressing room which he has always been good at and then like I say we go again in Europe."