Aberdeen travelled in style to Almaty yesterday on a charter flight which cost nearly £200,000 to ensure the players are in the best condition and manager Derek McInnes will not allow any excuses if his team fails to deliver today.
He said: “There are no concerns about lack of sleep or anything. We landed at the same local time we usually do on European games.
“It was certainly a benefit having more room on the plane. Some players find it difficult to sleep on a plane regardless but we have given ourselves every chance.
“The flight was not a problem at all. The majority of them slept and it was important to keep them on our time zones. Preparations are one thing but things are always thrown up in the games. We have to be ready regardless of the time difference or the travelling. The players are excited and up for the challenge, as we all are.”
Kairat’s Ivory Coast attacker Gerard Gohou will miss tonight’s match and possibly the Pittodrie return with a knee injury but McInnes will not be lulled into thinking the task has been made any easier. He added: “They have many good players and will have an able replacement.”
VIDEO: Aberdeen travel in style to Kazakhstan in £200,000 charter jet