Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the intense competition for places in his squad for tonight’s first qualifying round match against Shkendija proves the Reds are better equipped for this season’s Europa League.
McInnes, whose team trained in the Philip II Arena in Skopje last night ahead of tonight’s match against the Macedonians, has no fresh squad injury worries, with midfielder Kenny McLean available for selection after missing last Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win against St Johnstone because of a knee injury.
The Aberdeen manager feels he possesses a stronger squad for this season’s Europa League campaign in comparison to the one that reached the third qualifying round before being knocked out by Spanish side Real Sociedad last year.
The most interesting selection dilemma for McInnes for tonight’s Shkendija showdown will be who he picks to play in goal, with Danny Ward, who has joined the club on loan from Liverpool, challenging Scott Brown and Jamie Langfield for the number one jersey.
He said: “We have competition everywhere. People are focusing on the goalkeeper but Paul Quinn and Graeme Shinnie have come in and they want to play. Kenny McLean, Ryan Jack, Willo Flood, Peter Pawlett, Barry Robson and Cammy Smith all want to play in the centre of midfield so we have good options all over the pitch.
“We have a full squad to choose from and if that is the case time and time again this season then it is a good problem to have.
“Although the squad is neater in terms of numbers this season I believe it is better but we still have it all to prove.”
There will be a slightly eerie atmosphere at Macedonia’s 33,000-seater national stadium with only a couple of thousand Shkendija supporters expected at the match along with around 200 Aberdeen supporters.
McInnes said: “It may take a bit away from them as it is not at their home ground.
“The game is the game regardless of where it is. In terms of atmosphere it is not going to be what we are used to and maybe not what they are used to but the stadium and the pitch are fine.
“Once the first whistle goes you just have to go and deal with the game.
“It is not about the pitch, the surroundings, the opposition – it is about our ability to bring a level of performance that we are capable of.
“It is the performance that will get us the result we are looking for.”
McInnes is confident his team can progress to the second qualifying round but feels Shkendija are a much tougher proposition to Daugava Riga, who they thumped 8-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round last season.
He added: “It is a step up. You are never really sure of where the levels are. We weren’t really that sure of where the Latvians were last year.
“I think it is safe to say they present a bigger challenge than we faced this time last year. “We have work to do and will need two strong performances to get through the tie.”