NOW IS THE TIME FOR PROGRESS.. NOT PROGRES
Del’s desperate not to suffer Euro humiliation like Gers as Dons bid to make it through to the group stage
PROGRESS. It’s a word that has come to represent more humiliation for Scottish football on the European stage this summer.
But while the name of Rangers’ shock conquerors from Luxembourg – Progres Niederkorn – will forever stain Scotland’s psyche among the worst results in their history, for Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes it’s the word that sums up his ambitions for the season.
Progress on all fronts. Domestically by building on his best season yet at Pittodrie, when they established themselves as Scotland’s second force and reached two cup finals.
This time the challenge is not to hold off Rangers but to get closer to Celtic and give them a championship race to think about – and hopefully this time knock off a trophy at Hampden.
But for this week it’s progress on the European front that will dominate the manager’s thoughts as he seeks to smash down a door that his side have been knocking on with increasing force over the last three years.
From Spanish cracks Real Sociedad to big-spending Kairat Almaty to a Maribor side who are no strangers to knocking out Scottish teams from Europe, year on year Aberdeen have edged closer to qualifying for the Europa League group stage.
It was heartbreakingly close against the Slovenians last time out, losing 2-1 on aggregate as the Dons were left to curse a missed penalty, dodgy refereeing decisions and having a man sent off in the second leg.
This time McInnes wants more than just a plucky hard luck story – he wants progression to the promised land.
First his side must negotiate a tricky tie against Bosnians Siroki Brijeg to book their place in the third qualifying round for the fourth season running.
And having watched Siroki closely in their qualifying win over Kazakhstan side Ordabasy, McInnes insists his side must beware at Pittodrie on Thursday to ensure the progress he seeks doesn’t stall at the start line.
He said: “The Almaty and Maribor games were so finely poised and we were unlucky to go out but we take confidence from the fact we were in both ties and use that experience.
“The boys have the benefit of having been involved in Europe in recent years. The experience of dealing with different pitches, teams, conditions and referees will help us get the desired result.
“But first and foremost we need to get through. We need to bring a good level of performance to get through the first tie. During their previous round we split the staff up to focus on both teams.
“The Bosnians were under my remit and I was very impressed. They remind me of my first Aberdeen team.
“They have good organisation and energy in the middle of the park, counter-attack well with quick wide players who contribute goals and have a main striker who links it all together.
“They were impressive across the two ties and looked comfortable in Kazakhstan.
“Their striker has good size and experience and because of the pace around him he’s a very important player.
“Ordabasy score a lot of goals in Kazakhstan but they didn’t threaten and it was the Bosnians who looked more likely to score.”
As if McInnes’ words of caution weren’t enough, Aberdeen need only look at the early exits of Rangers and St Johnstone.
He said: “It was a surprise but it can happen. When you’re drawn against someone because no one has heard of them people think it’s a foregone conclusion but when you dig deeper it’s clear it’s a bit more of a challenge.
“Tommy Wright is keen to add more players and that’s the whole issue we face trying to be as ready as we can after a short break. It’s difficult to be proper game ready to deal with these ties.
“Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot for the performance level to dip and for a team to be knocked out. We’ve had the benefit of being in a settled team which has made the short period less of a factor but this year is different as we’re putting a new side together.
“There’s a bigger picture as to why we’re not at our maximum in these games – and a lot of it is down to the footballing calendar.
“There is no doubt Rangers, St Johnstone, ourselves and even Celtic for that matter, are not at 100 per cent for these ties.
“We certainly feel a sense of responsibility.”