Dons must shake off hangover

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has warned his players they can’t afford a Europa League hangover tomorrow when struggling Kilmarnock visit Pittodrie.

The Rugby Park side slumped to a 4-0 defeat at home to Dundee last weekend and will be determined to bounce back from that setback against the Dons.

But McInnes’s men are also out to avenge a painful result after their 1-1 draw against Kairat Almaty that ended their European campaign.

The Kazakhstan side will face French club Bordeaux in the play-off stages, while McInnes’s players will now turn their full attention to domestic football.

The Dons manager said: “The players are disappointed but when the games come thick and fast you have got to be ready.

“I am looking forward to the game and I am sure the players will be ready.

“There is a disappointment in going out of Europe but this is a chance for us to focus and concentrate on league football and that won’t do us any harm.

“We want to get off to a good start in the league campaign.”

McInnes will have to decide if his drained players need another break after Thursday’s defeat by Kairat Almaty.

He added: “I will judge how the players are feeling but it is important we try to bring an intensity to our play because when we do that we are a difficult side to contain.

“We want to make sure we respond to the disappointment of going out of the tournament by winning on Sunday.”

David Goodwillie, Niall McGinn, Ryan Jack and Peter Pawlett were rested for last weekend’s league opener with Dundee United, but the boss may opt to freshen up his side.

Ross County host Hamilton and have Jamie Reckord available again after the left-back missed the opening defeat at Celtic Park with an Achilles injury.

Hamilton welcome back Darian MacKinnon after the midfielder completed a onematch ban.

Derek McInnes: focus on league football.