Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is determined to keep the Dons supporters’ love affair with European football going.
The Dons were roared to victory against Daugava Riga, of Latvia, by a crowd of more than 15,000 two weeks ago and with that figure set to increase further for tonight’s game against Groningen McInnes wants his players to respond to the turnout.
He said: “We were all surprised at the club when we had more than 15,000 for the home game against Riga and this one, on paper, is a far more exciting prospect for them and I think our fans will recognise quite quickly that Groningen are a good side and it has grabbed their attention.
“We’re looking at Pittodrie being close to being full. A lots of the club’s best nights have been when they have been involved in European football and the fans will again respond to that.
“Hopefully, we can give them another good experience and get into the next round. We won’t stand back and watch Gorningen play. We must make sure we get after them and be good enough on the ball to cause them problems.”
Adam Rooney has proven he is capable of taking his domestic form for the club into European competition by scoring five of the eight aggregate goals from the first round win against the Latvians.
McInnes has been hugely impressed by the return of his January signing from Oldham and hopes to see the Irishman continue his form into the new campaign.
The Dons manager also has the option of introducing new signing David Goodwillie into the fray if required tonight.
He said: “Adam’s return has been good. He’s averaging slightly better than one goal in every two games and scored five goals in the last tie.
“It’s all about scoring goals for him and he is only happy when he is doing that. Given the right service he is capable of putting the ball in the back of the net.
“He is comfortable in the 18-yard-box, it’s where he likes to work and it is always good to have a player with that instinct.
“I have no doubt that he and David Goodwillie can play in the same team. It gives us more flexibility and more options and I think both are more than capable of being good for us and causing opponents problems this year.”