The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Boss wants ‘confident’ Dons to be clinical too
McInnes hopes his side will make the most of chances in clash with Burnley
Derek McInnes says Aberdeen are heading into tonight’s Europa League clash with Burnley at Turf Moor in confident mood and has stressed they “don’t want to be gallant losers”.
Last week’s first leg of the second qualifying round tie ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Dons leading through Gary Mackay-Steven’s 19th-minute penalty before Sam Vokes replied with 10 minutes to go.
McInnes said at a pre-match press conference at Burnley’s stadium yesterday: “We always felt we had to score here probably to get through the tie, and that’s where we are. I think Burnley were favourites prior to the (first) game, which I totally understand, and I think with their away goal last week, they are in the box seat. The onus is on us to score and try to change that, but I’m confident we can do that.”
The tie pits the club who were last season’s Ladbrokes Premiership runners-up against the club who finished seventh in the Premier League.
Dons boss McInnes added: “While I said I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the clubs in terms of tradition and size, the league that Burnley operate in means the financial differences between them and us is huge.
“But as soon as the ball rolls, it’s a game to be won and my players will be confident enough that they can set about that task and we’ll see where we go.
“We don’t want to just be gallant losers – ‘good old Aberdeen, they put up a fight, they were better than what we thought’ – the aim is to go through the tie.
“For me, we have it all to do. Winning here against a Premier League team on their home patch is a difficult task. But it’s one we feel we can win.”
McInnes feels his side were “very good for long spells” of last week’s game and is hopeful they can be more clinical with the chances they get.
He said Swansea, whose defender Alfie Mawson is understood to be on the brink of joining Fulham, had spoken to Aberdeen about their Kirriemuir-born centre-back Scott McKenna.
McInnes said: “It’s not an official approach. We’ve had a conversation with Swansea and they asked about Scott’s availability. I don’t expect them to make an offer. If they do then it’s not something we’d be encouraging.
“I’m not saying he’s not for sale, but any offer for McKenna will need to be way over the top, whether that’s this window, next window, whatever.”
Describing the 21-year-old as “Scotland’s best centre-half” he added: “It’s not a matter of if Scott McKenna leaves Aberdeen, it is when, and obviously... I would rather that was further down the line.”