Shinnie’s Future Could be Shaped by Toral

Earlier this week, Gary Rowett admitted that Andrew Shinnie is still part of his plans at Birmingham City. The Scottish playmaker recently joined Rotherham United on a loan deal – but he may still have a part to play in the Royal Blue jersey.

If Blues fail to secure promotion via the play-offs, the chances of keeping Arsenal loanee Jon Toral are very slim. With Diego Fabbrini becoming a permanent £1.5m signing from Watford and eventual recipient of the ‘number ten` role, Shinnie is the likely back-up option.

With the little money available to Rowett, strengthening other areas of the team is a higher priority than stocking up in a position in which Blues are already relatively strong.

Of course, if the option is there to take Toral on loan for a second season, you won`t find many complaining. And in that case, Shinnie`s time at St. Andrew`s could be over. But Toral is a player destined to become a Premier League regular elsewhere if not with Arsenal.

If, and this is a very big if, Blues are playing top flight football next term, an audacious bid for Toral would definitely be on the cards which would mean the end for Shinnie. Stranger things have happened in football.

Twitter @robwildey123