The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Dons defender Bates is fired up to bring Euro action back to Pittodrie
Scotland international defender David Bates signed for Aberdeen because he wanted to experience European group stage action.
Instead the centre-back will kick-off next season in the Premier Sports Cup groups.
It is not how the 25-yearold had envisioned his debut season at Pittodrie developing.
Instead of pushing to qualify for the elite of the Euro groups the Dons will face lower league sides in the Premier Sports Cup as, for the first time since 2013, Aberdeen will see no European action.
Next season will begin by facing Raith Rovers, Peterhead, Dumbarton and Stirling Albion in Group A in domestic cup action.
Manager Jim Goodwin is in the midst of a summer transfer window rebuild, although the Reds have yet to confirm any signings.
Bates is determined the recently finished campaign will be an aberration, with the Dons qualifying for Europe again next season.
He said: “I came to Aberdeen because I wanted to challenge to get into the European group stages.
“To not qualify for Europe is really disappointing. Everyone is disappointed as we all want to be in Europe. We need to achieve that next season and get up the league.”
Bates signed with Aberdeen last summer from German Bundesliga 2 side Hamburg on a threeyear contract but has yet to experience Euro action with the Dons.
The defender arrived at Pittodrie in late August during the final days of the summer transfer window.
Aberdeen had already been knocked out of the Europa Conference League at the play-off stages by Azerbaijan side Qarabag.
The Reds finished 10th in the Premiership table, their lowest position since 2004 but Bates anticipates a summer of transition at the club as Goodwin drafts in players to deliver his footballing philosophy.
Aberdeen only have two senior centre-backs, Bates and fellow Scotland international Declan Gallagher. Long-serving defender Andy Considine has exited the club and bade an emotional farewell to supporters in the final game of the season.
A one-year contract extension for Scotland international Considine, 36, was withdrawn after contract talks broke down and Scotland cap Mikey
Devlin, 28, had his contract terminated early.
St Mirren left-sided defender Charles Dunne, 29, is a summer transfer target.
Bates said: “It will be a big summer and the gaffer will get players in for his style of play. I think there will be a lot of players coming in. The gaffer will have a pre-season so we will see what happens.”
The failure to qualify for Europe was made all the more painful with the added returns up for grabs.
Hearts are guaranteed group stage football next season having finished third in the Premiership and reached the Scottish Cup final, losing 2-0 after extra-time to Rangers.
Hearts will land a minimum £3.5m cash payout as reward for qualifying for Europe.
The Tynecastle club go into the Europa League at the play-off stages, just one round away from the groups. Should Hearts lose the play-offs they drop into the Uefa Conference League group stages.
Hearts’ success only hammers home the extent of Aberdeen’s failure.
Bates insists every player must stand up next season and prove they are good enough to be at Aberdeen.