Europa group stages the Dons target, says McInnes

Derek McInnes believes the group stages of the Europa League has to be the target for Aberdeen this season.

The Dons start their European campaign after just three Premiership matches with a onelegged qualifier against Faroese side NSI Runavik at Pittodrie tonight.

The Aberdeen boss outlined the benefits of reaching the competition proper which will require three qualifiers and a playoff.

McInnes said: “We know we are not going to win the tournament but getting to the group stage would feel like a win all round.

“Financially it is a winwin. The financial gain that we can get in this difficult time for the club would be massive.

“The regard and respect you get from qualifying for the group stage would be massive. There is the experience we can all gain from that, players, staff and supporters, hopefully back in the ground for that time. It is certainly what we are striving for.

“There is an argument that domestically it could impact. Bigger clubs with far bigger riches than us domestically have suffered when they have gone into group stages with the amount of games but we would rather deal with that problem at the time and get to the group stages.

“To me, it would feel like winning something tangible, getting to the group stages.”

McInnes, though, is wary of the one-legged nature of the tie against a side who are 17 games into their season and who hammered Barry Town United 5-1 in their preliminary tie.

He said: “I do think a 90-minute tie will always favour the underdog. We are hoping we can get through this