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Dons boss sets Europa League target

Dons manager Derek McInnes
Dons manager Derek McInnes

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes wants to reward the Dons supporters for their backing by leading their club to the group stages of the Europa League this summer.

The draw for the first and second qualifying rounds of the Europa League will be made on June 20 with the Dons returning to training two days later.

Aberdeen will enter at the second qualifying round stage after finishing runners-up in the Scottish Premiership with the first leg due to be played on July 26.

The pain of the exit to Cypriot side Apollon Limassol in the third qualifying round last year has lingered at Pittodrie and McInnes is delighted his players have earned another shot at making the group stage of the competition.

He said: “I was disappointed last year because we felt the defeat to Limassol was a missed opportunity. We were close to the play-off round and we believed we could go through.

“We set our sights from that point on getting back into Europe and we knew we needed another good league campaign to do that.

“The fans gave us a great reception even after being knocked out and that is why we are desperate to give them at least one more round in Europe and if possible get to the group stages but it is not easy.

“There are fine lines between winning and losing and we also went through a lot of changes last year. For the new guys who came in the experience will serve them well this year.”

McInnes is relieved his side has avoided the same fate of Scotland’s two other Europa League representatives, Rangers and Hibernian, of a first round start on July 12.

Rangers suffered an embarrassing exit to Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg in the first round a year ago while St Johnstone also failed to make it to the second round after losing to Trakai of Lithuania to leave the Dons as he sole representatives in the tournament before they had kicked a ball.

As he prepares to take his side into Europe for the fifth year in a row the Dons boss knows the importance of being prepared.

He said: “Scottish clubs are really up against it when trying to progress in Europe.

“There is no doubt Scottish teams are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to playing against teams that are well into their season and up and running.

“In the past we have entered at the first round. It is better to come in at the second round proper.

“My biggest concern is getting that fitness and sharpness but we will face a capable team regardless and we have to be ready.”