McInnes: We’ll use our Euro wits to Finnish off rivals
DEREK McINNES admits Aberdeen might be ring rusty compared to RoPS but will draw on their European experience to progress.
The Dons go into tonight’s opener as huge favourites against a side who are third bottom of the league in Finland.
Although McInnes knows RoPS have the advantage of being midway through their campaign he insists his BY SCOTT BURNS Europa League side can cope with whatever is thrown at them.
He said: “Other than Burnley last year we have always been the overwhelming favourites.
“We have to go into the game full of confidence and use our experience. We have normally dealt with what’s in front of us.
“Logistically, it was one of the better ones for us but in terms of footballing ability it was one of the harder teams that we could have had. Hopefully, we will be good enough to get to the next round.”
McInnes has done his homework on RoPS and warned his men they need to dictate play.
He said: “I have seen in spells in each of the games I’ve watched that RoPS have a lot of good technical players.
“They are a possession-based PASI TUUTI reckons RoPS can catch Aberdeen cold tonight.
The Finns are halfway through their season as they head to Pittodrie with Dons just returning to work.
Boss Tuuti said: “Their season hasn’t started, their players can’t be fully fit. If the game was four weeks later it’d be different but we’ve done a lot to prepare.” team and they ask questions of you.
“They will have a huge advantage physically because they are 15 games into their season but hopefully we can overcome that by putting on a level of performance that takes us through the tie.”
McInnes confirmed Greg Leigh and Craig Bryson are both fit and available after recovering from ankle injuries.