APOLLON’S EASY RIDE HAS McINNES GUESSING

DEREK McINNES has admitted it is difficult to know just how tough a task his Aberdeen side face against Apollon Limassol tomorrow night, given the paucity of challenge the Cypriots faced in the second round of Europa League qualifying. McInnes was certainly impressed with the way Apollon went about their business in a comfortable 5-1 aggregate win over Zaria of Moldova. But they were far from tested and McInnes said: ‘Apollon were very impressive against the Moldovans. ‘However, I will temper that a bit by saying they got it far too easy. ‘But you couldn’t fail to be impressed by their movement, their approach to the play and their intensity. ‘They were clearly the better side but they did the right things. They have two overlapping full-backs, bright movement ahead of the play, two controllers in central midfield and two good centre-halves. ‘But I would think they are looking at our second-half display in Bosnia and seeing why we were the second-best team in Scotland last season. ‘It will be a tough game for us but also a tough one for them and we’re more ready for it now after that game last Thursday. The 90 minutes and the competitive element of the game in Bosnia will help the players make big strides forward.’ McInnes (left) will have the versatile Kari Arnason, who is equally at home in defence or midfield, available for the first time since his recent return to the club from Omonia Nicosia. And he is looking for new arrival Nicky Maynard to form a prolific partnership with striking stalwart Adam Rooney. ‘If you put a camera on Nicky and follow his movement, you’ll see he’s always asking questions of the centre-backs. He just needs that wee bit of sharpness to finish off the good work. ‘I think he and Rooney could have scored some more goals between them but I think it’s really encouraging that we’ve got another option, and that type of player, at the club.’ Apollon see Aberdeen as firm favourites to progress to the final qualifying stage. Director Fanourios Constantinou said: ‘For us, it’s a tough game. Aberdeen are favourites because they have just had their best season in 20 years. ‘Our aim is to try to take the tie back to the AEK Arena and be in with a chance of qualifying. ‘Although the Scottish league is mocked sometimes, I have to say it is better than ours.’