Dons defender Shay Logan wants his team-mates to use the memory of knocking Celtic out of the Scottish Cup at Parkhead last season to fuel their belief they can beat Real Sociedad tonight.
Logan, who signed a two-year deal with the Dons after impressing in a loan spell from Brentford, is in Spain for Aberdeen’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg.
He said: “With the players we have got in the team and the work ethic of the manager and the squad we know if we give our all then anything can happen.
“We have gone to Parkhead to play Celtic, who are in the group stages of the Champions League year in and year out and we have beaten them, so we don’t fear anybody.”
From the Etihad Stadium and on to Brentford before the move to Aberdeen last season, but Logan has not given up hope of returning to English football’s top tier.
He said: “I wasn’t playing much at Manchester City and I had got to an age where I needed to be playing. I have come to Aberdeen and am playing every week. I wouldn’t say I didn’t think I would get back to that level. I went to Brentford and didn’t see it as a step down.
“It has worked out well for me but I always had the belief I could get back playing in the Premier League and I still believe I can get there, it will be extremely hard but playing in games likes these can only help. The main thing is to do my best and enjoy this game.”
Real Sociedad coach Jagibo Arrasate insists his side are under pressure not just to beat Abedeen tonight but to make the group stages of the Europa League.
The Spaniards host the Dons in the first leg of the third qualifying round tonight and Arrasate is fearful of the threat of Derek McInnes’ side.
He said: “We’ll be looking to take the initiative and should have possession of the ball. We’ll see how the game pans out. We’ll have to press them well, so that they have less options of hitting us on the counter, because that’s something they do well.
“Our first aim is to win this game. If we can win by more than one goal then that’s fine. If we win by more than one goal and don’t concede any, then that’ll be perfect.
“We know they’re not going to be an easy team to beat, or score plenty of goals against them. We don’t have any pressure as such, it’s more a sense of responsibility. We know our aim is to get through to the groups. The pressure on us is justified and we have a lot of responsibility.”