Dons facing possible return to Kazakhstan

Aberdeen face a possible return to the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan in the Europa League after being drawn with either Ordabasy Shymkent or Bosnian club NK Siroki Brijeg in the second qualifying round.

Derek McInnes’s Reds, whose coefficient is 6.785, will host the winners of their Euro rivals’ first qualifying round tie at Pittodrie on Thursday July 13, with the second leg on July 20.

The Dons manager said: “We will obviously have both legs watched from the first-round game and will be treating whoever we get with the utmost respect.

“If it does happen to be a trip to Kazakhstan again, the game will be in Almaty, so it won’t be a new experience for us.

“There will be a familiarity about it. Also if it is Ordabasy who we play, it is important to remember that unlike last time when we travelled to play Kairat Almaty, we will not have a domestic game immediately after the long trip, so that would be a huge bonus.”

Meanwhile, Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has vowed to leave nothing to chance as he prepares to lead the Ibrox side out of the European wilderness.

The Light Blues have been drawn to play Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg in the Europa League first qualifying round.

The date and venue for the away leg have yet to be confirmed but it is expected Gers will host the first game on June 29. That will end Rangers’ six-year wait for a return to continental action following the club’s 2012 financial meltdown.

Caixinha’s team have also learned they will take on either Cypriots AEL Limassol or St Joseph’s of Gibraltar if they progress to the second round.

He told RangersTV: “We have started to collect our information.

“We want to analyse them and we want to do our homework.

“The return of Rangers to Europe is important for the club and we are going to do everything to be in the group stage. Of course, this is the first step and the first level, and we need to pass through it.”

Kenny McLean celebrates his goal for the Dons against Kairat Almaty last year.