McInnes refuses to write off Europa League rivals

Aberdeen: Dons boss insists his side can’t afford to be arrogant

Derek McInnes admits Aberdeen risk becoming the next Scottish team to tumble out of Europe if they do not show opponents Siroki Brijeg full respect.

Rangers and St Johnstone have already crashed out of the Europa League as the nation’s teams got the season off to a nightmare start.

Responsibility now falls on the Dons to salvage some pride as they make their entrance at the second qualifying round.

But while few will know much about their Bosnian rivals, McInnes admits it would be a big mistake to write them off ahead of Thursday’s first leg at Pittodrie.

He said: “We just assume that because we have never heard of a team that they are not very good.

“But if you start doing a bit of digging and looking at the finances of these teams then you can see exactly what you’re up against. I don’t think we should be arrogant enough to think we should just be swatting these teams away.”

McInnes has made sure he and his team have been fully briefed on Brijeg and he has seen enough to know Aberdeen will have to be at their best to progress.

He said: “We split the staff up to look at both potential European opponents, I concentrated on the team who landed up getting through – Siroki Brijeg.

“Based on the two ties they deservedly went through. They were the better of the two teams.

“Although we are seeded this year, we have always played a good level of team in this round and I think our opponents on Thursday night are exactly that.”