McInnes is aiming to emulate Dons’ League Cup success

ABERDEEN v NSI RUNAVIK

7.45PM, LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 1 would feel like a financial win and a win all round. Hopefully we can be that team.”

Aberdeen go into the game without the Red Army but they are odds on to progress, despite the fact NSI thumped Barry Town United in the last round.

McInnes said: “Any team that beats their opponent 5-1 deserves that respect.

“They are a very good possession-based team. They have got good experience and have a talisman striker in [Klaemint] Olsen. They’ve got good players throughout so we’ve got to make sure we’re good at our own game and bring a level of performance.

“We’ve got to enjoy being in Europe and we’ve always worked hard to get onto the European stage.

“We expect a tough match. Their biggest advantage over us is that this is their 18th game of the season – their season started back in May – whereas this is our fourth game, staggered.

“We’ve faced that in the past but we’re still trying to find some rhythm and have some injuries.

“We’ll try and put out the team that gives us the best chance of winning the game.”

Loanee Marley Watkins will make his European debut – five years after he fired Inverness into the Europa League.

The Welsh international helped Caley Thistle to lift the cup before he left for Barnsley.

Watkins revealed McInnes tried to sign him when he left the Highlands but he wanted to return to England.

He said: “I met the gaffer before I left Inverness and was really impressed with him. It’s good to get the chance to work with him now.

“I didn’t get the chance to play in Europe for Inverness because I left just after we won the Scottish Cup. I wanted to go back to England and prove myself down there, so that’s why I made that decision.

“But it’s exciting now to finally get the opportunity to play European football.”