Aberdeen attacker Niall McGinn is confident the Dons will finish the job when Shkendija visit Pittodrie for the second leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday.
The Dons hold the upper hand following Thursday’s 1-1 draw in the Philip II Arena in Skopje with Croatian side HNK Rijeka awaiting the winners of the tie in the competition’s second qualifying round.
McGinn opened the scoring for the Dons in Macedonia, but Shkendija substitute Hristijan Kirovski kept his team in the contest with a powerful late headed equaliser.
A precious away goal has given the Dons the advantage ahead of the return leg and Northern Ireland international McGinn believes they can knock the Macedonians out of the competition next week.
He said: “There’s no reason why we can’t.
“They’re a good side, but we know we are a good side as well. We know the players we have.
“We’d a good look at them on Thursday and know we will create chances and could score a few goals.
“We’ve got the upper hand with the away goal.
“We don’t want to go defensive next week – we want to win the game.
“It’s another one we’re looking forward to and another step towards where we want to be.”
The Dons were unsure what to expect against Shkendija, who finished third in the Macedonian top flight but have yet to win a European tie.
McGinn felt Shpetim Duro’s Red and Blacks showed they are capable of causing an upset at Pittodrie next week if the Dons are not at their best.
He said: “They were very good technically, good on the ball and well organised.
“They probably could compete in our league no problem, but I would have to look at them over the course of a season.
“But we’ve had a good look at them now and we expect to kick on next Thursday.
“I always expect European teams to have good technical players and they certainly had.
“They are all really gifted and good on the ball. They also worked hard throughout the game.
“We work hard too and we think we are more than a match for anyone.”
If Aberdeen do progress to the second qualifying round they will have to do it without vice-captain Mark Reynolds.
The 28-year-old sustained a shoulder injury against Shkendija and faces several weeks on the sidelines.
McGinn added: “He was solid all night. He’s done brilliantly since he came to the club, certainly since I’ve been here.
“It was disappointing, but we have a strong squad with the likes of Paul Quinn coming in. He’s been solid in pre-season as well.
“We’re a strong team now because we have a lot of good players in every position.”