Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes insists there will be no European hangover for his side as they balance a marathon trip to Kazakhstan today with the start of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday.
The Dons fly to face Kairat in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tonight and will return following the game on Thursday afternoon which kicks-off at 3.45pm British time.
The Dons suffered a surprise 3-0 loss at home against Dundee United in their league opener following their exit to Real Sociedad a year ago and the Dons manager, pictured below, will use that experience to ensure there is no repeat this weekend when the Dons face United again in the first game of the campaign, this time at Tannadice.
He said: “All our focus is on the European game, as it should be, but we are conscious of the need to get our league season off to a good start as well.
“The players can’t think about Dundee United while we are away, but as coaching staff we have planned the week out to ensure there is a balance between the two games.
“Last year I didn’t really factor in the fatigue factor following the Sociedad game at Pittodrie and it cost us. We will have the freshest team available for the game at United.
“But, for now, that match can wait as Kairat is the priority.”
The pressing challenge facing McInnes is ensuring his players are unaffected by the five-hour time difference between Almaty and Aberdeen.
Despite being in a different time zone McInnes has planned the trip to ensure his players remain on British time while in Kazakhstan, which is why the Dons are departing at 11pm this evening.
He said: “The time difference has been one of the most important factors we’ve had to contend with and it quickly became apparent we couldn’t adjust to the difference and then swap back again so quickly and expect to be at 100% for both games.
“We’ve taken advice from the sports science and physios at the club and we agreed what we’re doing is the best way to go – although we realise it is not ideal.
“The players can rest before and after training over there and we’ll be back in the early hours of Friday morning so the players will have ample time to rest before the game on Sunday.”
Following their busy start to the campaign the Dons have postponed their home Scottish Premiership match against Hamilton Accies, which was due to be played on Wednesday, August 12. A new date for the fixture has still to be arranged.
Former Dons midfielder Andrew Driver has signed for Dutch side De Graafschap on a one-year deal after impressing on trial at the club, which won promotion back to the Eredivisie last season.