Dons’ Docherty says Bosnian heat won’t be a factor tonight

Tony Docherty has poured cold water on suggestions Aberdeen’s Europa League hopes could wilt under the blazing Bosnian sun.

The Dons have touched down in the Balkans ahead of tonight’s second-leg clash with qualifying opponents Siroki Brijeg.

The hosts not only have the benefit of an away goal after last week’s 1-1 Pittodrie draw, but also of being conditioned to the soaring temperatures currently blasting down on the Adriatic coast.

Forecasters predict it could be as hot as 32 degrees or even higher when Derek McInnes’s men run out at the Pecara Stadium.

But Docherty believes Aberdeen have proved in the past that they can handle the heat.

Asked if the conditions were cause for concern, the Reds’ assistant boss told the club website: “Not at all. We trained at home this morning so now we’re ready to go over there and acclimatise.

“There is experience in the squad and we’ve been to these kind of places before, so we have got to rely on that experience. “Of course we’re optimistic.” He continued: “It’s very important when we go over there that we are clinical. Any opportunities we do get, we have to take them.

“Also, and this is stating the obvious, we need to keep the back door shut.

“But we are very confident and feel ready to take the challenge on.

“I don’t think it’s so much about fitness.

“They have got the upper hand on us in terms of competitive matches that have been played. We’ve only played the one game against them - but we’re better for it.

“The sharpness that comes from that and the sharpness from this week’s training we can take into tomorrow night.”

The Dons have travelled with the same squad that faced Brijeg last week, with new signing Kari Arnason ineligible to play.