Ryan Jack was in the crowd when Aberdeen almost shocked German giants Bayern Munich six years ago and would love the chance to experience similar nights at Pittodrie as a player.
Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose were all in the Bayern team that was almost humbled by the Dons in an unforgettable Uefa Cup tie.
Jimmy Calderwood’s men were 2-1 ahead at the interval thanks to goals from Josh Walker and Sone Aluko but a second-half strike from Hamit Altintop spared Bayern’s blushes.
The Reds were defeated 5-1 by Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side in the return leg as they exited the competition in the round of 32.
Jack will experience European football for the first time against Latvian side Daugava Riga tonight in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
The 22-year-old would love to go on a lengthy run in this year’s competition and experience a glamour tie against one of Europe’s elite sides.
He said: “The Bayern Munich game was the best experience because the result itself was unbelievable. The crowd and the atmosphere of that night created a real excitement of being in Europe.
“It was a great feeling and I wasn’t even playing. Just imagine what it would be like playing and being involved on the night.
“I was there as a youth team player as opposed to a supporter, so I wasn’t singing – I was just sitting there.
“I was watching the first-team boys, trying to learn and being there was a great experience of that occasion. It whets the appetite as you want a taste of it yourself.
“We have got a chance to see where it can take us and see if it can take us on a journey.”
Jack reckons his more experienced team-mates such as Jamie Langfield and Barry Robson, who have experienced playing in Europe before, can play a vital important in ensuring the Dons progress to the competition’s next stage.
He added: “Jamie has thrown it in a few times that he played in the game against Bayern Munich.
“They will be on TV and Jamie will say ‘I’ve played at the Allianz Arena’. But it’s good because Jamie has got that experience of playing against Bayern.
“He can maybe pass on that experience to the likes of myself and other youngsters.
“You have guys like myself and Peter Pawlett coming into the first team trying to do well and playing in Europe for the first time as well.”