Mcinnes looks to Aberdeen’s impressive record on road to secure safe passage
Derek Mcinnes has urged Aberdeen to recall past European exploits away from home as they seek to reach the third round of Europa League qualifying.
The Pittodrie side’s fourth successive European campaign threatens to be a short once again after being held at home by NK Siroki Brijeg last night.
But wins against teams in the Netherlands and Croatia in recent seasons are proof something can still be salvaged from a tough assignment.
Aberdeen swept into the lead in front of 17,000 fans, Ryan Christie curling home after 16 minutes. But an equally wellstruck goal by Stipo Markovic drew the Bosnian side level.
Now Aberdeen are left with a perilous trip to the Balkans next week, where they will need to win, obtain a highscoring draw or triumph in
0 Derek Mcinnes: Optimistic. a penalty shoot-out, in the event of another 1-1 draw, to progress.
“I’m disappointed we’ve not managed to get a win tonight,” said Mcinnes. “They are a decent side as we said beforehandandthoroughlydeserved a draw.
“It was always a concern coming back to a different round, against a higher quality of opposition. It’s clear we have a bit to go.
“The tie’s still in the balance, it’s half time. We’ve had a lot of our better results on the road in Europe. Hopefully we can be better for having the minutes tonight.”
“When we did get after them, we caused them problems,” said Mcinnes with reference to Siroki. “We aim to do that next week.”
Meanwhile, Mcinnes denied Aberdeen have made a fresh bid for Motherwell striker Louis Moult.
“We put a bid in for Moult last week which was rejected and there’s been no contact since that,” he said. “We’re hopeful that we can get a defender in in the next few days.” l David Mcallister’s injurytime strike gave Shamrock Rovers hope after they lost theirfirstleg3-2tomladaboleslav. Golgol Mebrahtu’s double and Jan Chramosta’s late strike put the visitors in control despite Graham Burke equalising three minutes after half time.
Cork lost 1-0 to AEK Larnaka after Joan Truyols’ second half goal downed the Irish side. Hibs head coach Neil Lennon believes he will be getting three players in one as he prepares to bring Steven Whittaker back to Easter Road. The 33-yearold’s name has been linked with a return to the capital ever since he was released by Norwich City at the end of the season.
Now Lennon is confident enough of capturing the signature of Whittaker – who was at the club’s East Mains training centre yesterday – to reveal that he believes an announcement on his return will be made early next week.
Lennon, who has also been credited with an interest in bringing striker Anthony Stokes back for a third spell at Hibs, said: “It’s progress, progress, progress. I was hoping we’d get something done early this week, but sometimes these things chop and change as we saw with the Luke Berry deal.”
However, regarding Whittaker, who played 174 games for Hibs before making a £2 million move to Rangers ten years ago, Lennon said: “It is very close now and hopefully we will be able to announce something early next week and there are other options we are pursuing.
“I think it would be a real coup for this club. We’ll be getting three players in
0 Steven Whittaker, left, watched Hibs play Sunderland on Sunday. one with Steven. He can play in both full back positions, he is excellent in midfield and has had a stellar career – and I believe there is plenty more to come. He looks in great condition and we hope to get it over the line.”
Lennon revealed he has come to a decision over former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant – who played in all three of Hibs preseason matches as a trialist – but insisted he’d be speaking to the 34-year-old before making that public.
He has also been casting an eye over Welsh internationalist Simon Church, but admitted it was too early to make a decision on the 28-year-old. “It’s too early in the sense he has only been here for a couple of days and I imagine he’ll stay with us next week unless anything else crops up for him,” Lennon said. “At the minute he is getting his fitness levels up, training well – but it’s no guarantee.”
Meanwhile,lennonrevealed Nigerian defender Efe Ambrose has finally reported back for pre-season training after going AWOL. Although unhappy at the 28-year-old’s prolonged absence, the Hibs boss said he’s satisfied with the explanation he’s been given.
“The eagle has landed,” joked Lennon. “The hatchet has been buried – in his head.
“No, it’s been dealt with. He was off until Monday and had a personal issue. There was a slight communication problem, but he is here now, he is fine and he is in good health. That’s the end to it.”