The man who scored the goal that last earned Aberdeen a place in the group stages of European competition sees no reason why Derek McInnes’ Dons can’t do the same this year.
Darren Mackie netted the crucial away goal against Dnipro in 2007 to earn Jimmy Calderwood’s Reds a place in the group stages of the Uefa Cup.
The Dons went on to progress from a group that included Panathinaikos, Lokomotiv Moscow, Atletico Madrid and Copenhagen before being knocked out of the competition by Bayern Munich.
The class of 2018 would love to embark on a similar run in the Europa League and they will learn the first step of that challenge this week when the draw for the second qualifying round is made in Nyon tomorrow.
Mackie said: “Reaching the group stages is certainly not beyond them.
“It is very tough with the way it is set up now.
“We only had to play one qualifying round, now the Scottish teams need to play three or four.
“It is a huge ask and some of the teams involved in the draw mean it won’t be easy but they have got the quality to do it.
“Getting to the group stages would be absolutely incredible.
“The whole city would be buzzing. We saw what it was like the last time.
“That has got to be the aim.
“There is no point going into these games thinking anything else.
“Knowing some of the players, they will be thinking they can do it.”
Sevilla, Burnley, Bordeaux and Sparta Prague are among the teams the unseeded Dons will look to avoid in tomorrow’s draw.
Mackie added: “A kind draw is what you are looking for.
“You want to play the big teams but not at this stage of the competition.
“You want to get to the group stages and then draw some of the bigger teams.
“But, whoever they draw, it is cup football and anything can happen over two legs.
“I’m sure the manager is working hard to bring in new players.
“It will be interesting to see who he gets and how quickly they settle.
“He has got a bit of work to do to get everyone gelled together but that is what pre-season is for.
“I am hopeful they can have a great run in the Europa League.”