Mcinnes says Dons must rely on their own performance

Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes is focused on his side producing their own best performance rather than worrying about Sporting Lisbon’s coronavirus crisis as they prepare for life without Scott Mckenna.

Scotland defe nd ermc ken na’ s move south to Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest was confirmed yesterday as Aberdeen were travelling out to Portugal ahead of their Europa League tie.

Sporting have at least nine players missing because of positive Covid-19 tests, while manager Ruben Amorim will also be absent because he is self-isolating.

Aberdeen’s hopes of getting some late scouting were scuppered when Sporting’s scheduled domestic fixture against Gil Vicente was called off because of the outbreak.

Mcinnes, though, is focused on aberdeen striking the needed balance as they look to progress to the play-off round and produce a swift response from Saturday’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat by Motherwell.

“We have not really considered their problems too much ,” saidmc inn es, who is fully expecting the European fixture togo ahead–with a final decision from Uefa and the local public health authorities set today.

“We know their preparations have not been ideal, but if you delve into their squad and the quality they have to chose from, it is a formidable task, there is no doubt about it.

“But the excitement of being here and taking on such an opponent is why we work so hard to get into Europe every year.

“We have come across a tough one early on at this stage, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Mcinnes added: “Your preparation has to be a lot on the opposition, but it also has to be onourselves, tryingtomakesure we get the balance right to have the chance to land some blows on them.

“We are going to have to do a lot of things right in the game, defend well, have a good level of concentration and confidence in possession.

“A lot of these things are going to have to be valid tomorrow for us to get the result.”

Aberdeen confirmed Mckenna’s transfer was for a club-record fee, believed to be around £3 million.

Kirriemuir-born Mckenna, 23, came through the Dons’ youth ranks, making more than 100 appearances.