We have players with fantastic pace and movement

Then he can see them go all the way to the Europa League group stages, even though Real Sociedad will be lying in wait.

The Dons struggled to grind down their Dutch opponents at Pittodrie in Thursday night’s first leg clash, but kept their European dreams alive with an all-important clean sheet.

Hayes reckons the Reds, who will play a more patient game in Holland, are perfectly placed to profit in the deciding tie thanks to their blistering pace on the break.

With Peter Pawlett once again building match sharpness after picking up a knock against Daugava Riga, and Niall McGinn approaching his lightning- quick best, Hayes insists Groningen’s defence will struggle to contain the Dons.

And if they do get the job done at the Euroborg stadium, the Irishman sees no reason why Aberdeen can’t extend their first European adventure in five years well into the domestic season.

He explained: “At home the onus is on us to attack, but with the pace we have, it actually suits us to play on the counter.

“Peter Pawlett’s pace is going to cause problems, and I’ve yet to see a defender who can live with it – and that’s Peter not fully fit.

“Niall McGinn’s another one with real pace, so I actually think 0-0 is a good result to take into the second leg because we haven’t conceded.

“If we go over there and score a goal then they have to score two.

“The main objective for us in the first leg was to keep a clean sheet and we’re happy we did that.

“It would have been nice to score a goal or two, but with a clean sheet going over there, and with the threat we have going forward, it’s good.

“If we can nick a goal there, it’s going to be ver y hard for Groningen to get back into the game.” Asked whether the group stages are a realistic aim for the Dons at this stage, he was emphatic, adding: “We have to aim for that.

“There’s no point in thinking we just want to be alsorans going out in the second or third qualifying round. We want to get to the group stages.

“Obviously you need some luck with the draw, but there’s no reason why not.

“With Groningen, the manager and Tony Docherty have been to watch them a few times and they have told us we can beat them.

“They will have watched the videos of us too and will know how good we can be on the attack. We have got some players with some fantastic movement and pace.

“The away goal is now going to be a major factor in how the tie is played out and we’ve got to be fully confident that we’ll grab that goal.”