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Graeme Shinnie says the contrasting fortunes of Aberdeen and Sunday's opponents Hearts illustrates the "mad" nature of football.

If the joint-top Dons continue their 100% start with a seventh straight league win they will move 19 points clear of the capital club.

Wind back a few months to last season - Hearts finished third, 20 points ahead of seventh-place Aberdeen.

Captain Shinnie said: "Football is mad, isn’t it? In different seasons, different things happen.

"The year before that we finished third, it can change all the time. We are focused on trying to continue our run, continue what we have been doing well and build on it and keep getting better.

"Football is mad, mad things happen, we all know that, but Hearts are a good side and we are well aware of that. We know what we have to do to try and win."

Shinnie believes the competition for places all over the park has been a key factor behind the Dons' winning start under Jimmy Thelin.

"That is the way it has to be at a club like this," the midfielder said.

"That is testament to the work that has been done here, everybody knows the jobs they have to do.

"Everybody is ready and focused and when they are called upon, which they will be – it is a long season and we know everybody is needed - players are ready to take their chance.

"That is crucial for us, and it pushes other people on as well to think ‘it is never safe here, my position is not safe and I need to perform to the top of our abilities to keep our place in the team’ – which is very healthy for the squad."