Rooney relishing Euro leading role

Aberdeen: Manager McInnes hails impact of Irish forward

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has hailed the impact of Irish attacker Adam Rooney on the Dons’ Europa League campaign. The former Caley Thistle forward scored his ninth goal in European competition for Aberdeen in the 1-0 win against Ventspils on Thursday and will be tasked with leading the line in Thursday’s third round first leg match against Slovenian club Maribor.

McInnes has no doubt the player he signed on a free transfer from English League One club Oldham Athletic can play a pivotal role again.

The 28-year-old averages better than a goal every two games for the Dons with 60 in just 104 appearances and McInnes said: “Rooney is so good for us. He works away, led the line against Ventspils on Thursday night and held up the ball against their two central defenders. He just waited for his chance. He missed one chance but it was good to get him his goal. “It gives me a lot of encouragement but we know our performances have got better and sharper. We have to show we are learning. We were very professional, hard-working and organised against a decent Ventspils team but we are going to have to improve against Maribor.

“They are a team of note and we have to make sure we are ready to give a strong performance and we want Europe to give us the best experiences.”

Uganda international midfielder Khalid Aucho made his Aberdeen debut in Saturday’s 4-1 friendly win against Arbroath at Gayfield. The 22-year-old came on as a substitute in the second half as the young Dons won with goals from Peter Pawlett, two from Jayden Stockley and Miles Storey with his first for the club. Pawlett was sent off late on after an altercation with Arbroath’s former Ross County midfielder Martin Scott, who was also dismissed.

Adam Rooney: Averages better than a goal every two games