Europe means so much more this time round

Dons gaffer Derek Mcinnes

Derek Mcinnes believes reaching the Europa League group stages this season could be Aberdeen’s salvation against the ruinous financial effects of Covid-19.

The Dons kick off their continental campaign with a first-round qualifying tie at home to NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie on Thursday night.

“It is a cup competition, and it’s a one-off tie, which means we have to be ready,” said the Dons boss. “That makes it probably a wee bit more open to chance, and we have to be as ready as we can be.

“It also gives us an opportunity if we can progress. “That’s always the target. Every team that has put us out has been the seeded team. “We feel that the group stage is something important to the club, and getting there would feel like winning a domestic cup.

“Financially, it’s a game-changer, especially in this year of all years. “Although we don’t know how much the lack of spectators will affect the figures, we have a rough idea of what it would be worth.

“Certainly there are significant incentives and rewards for us to get to the group stage.” Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has been vocal about the impact Covid-19 has had on the club’s finances, estimating the Pittodrie outfit to be burning through £1million a month.

With even conservative estimates of group-stage income running to a few million, it is clear how much he would welcome the achievement. As Mcinnes points out, there would be significant other benefits, too.

“Professionally it’s something I really want to get involved in, because we would come up against a level of opponent that would excite and challenge us,” he said.

“That would be the reward for the players of getting to the group stages. Hopefully we can do it.

“You need to have the size of squad to deal with it. But that’s something you worry about once you get through. “You have to try to make sure it doesn’t have an impact on you domestically.

“We certainly want to get there, no doubt about it.” Mcinnes does strike one note of caution, however. “Normally, you play a level of opponent early on that can help you through the first couple of games,” he said. “You improve as you go on and face the tougher opponents.

“This time round, the Faroese are well into their season, 18-19 games, and that is a huge advantage for them.”