Manager Derek McInnes, Niall McGinn and Willo Flood spoke to the media ahead of the game

Derek McInnes

“I think it’s a game we’re all eagerly anticipating.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the City.

We’ve said from the start that we want to try and enjoy the European experience and look back on it with a lot of good memories and this is a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against a very good side.

We will improve as we go along and I think it’s a game we’re ready for.

“They’re a very good side. They have a lot of energy in their team, I think there is a nice balance and you can see they are well coached. They can pose problems.

They’ve got players that can hurt you if you give them time and space. They deserve every respect.

“We were all pleasantly surprised at the club at how many supporters turned up for the Riga game, over 15,000, which given it’s early on in the campaign would suggest how much the supporters feel about European football.

A lot of our best nights as a club have come in European competition and I would anticipate a really healthy crowd. Sales have been fantastic, there will be a good atmosphere. I think the team always respond to that. I think the support will come with the intention of getting right behind the team. All the ingredients are there. For early on in the season it feels like a proper game for us and we intend to make the most of it.

“Everybody is fit. Clark Robertson is the only one who is definitely ruled out. Peter Pawlett has a chance of playing and is doing all he can to be involved. He would have to come through training today to make it.”

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Willo Flood

“Preparations have gone well. We came back early for pre-season and we look fit and sharp and we’re ready to go for the game.

“When you go through to the next round of any European competition, the next team is a lot tougher. But we’re quietly confident in ourselves, we’ve had a good pre-season and we’ve looked up to match fitness quite quickly. So we’re going into it full of confidence.

“We’ve scored a lot of goals lately and we’ve kept a lot of clean sheets lately so we’re raring to go, let’s hope it’s a good game!”

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Niall McGinn

“It is exciting times for the players, exciting times for the whole club and the supporters. It was a great turn out from the fans for the Riga game and I know the crowd tomorrow night will be even bigger.

“It is going to be a very tough game against Groningen but it is one we are looking forward to. We are ready and raring to go again. If we play to our capabilities and keep a good shape then we will have a chance of doing well in the two games.

“The European games are a great experience for us. Many players go through their career without getting that experience. These are the types of games you want to be involved in.

“We know that Groningen are full of talented players.

“We know from playing FC Twente last year how technically good the Dutch players are. Although we won 2-0 they were probably were the better team and created more chances. They also kept the ball very wall. We defended well that night and kept a good shape, we will have to do the same tomorrow night and take any chances we get.”

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