The managers pre-match media conference |

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Thoughts ahead of the season opener on Thursday?

“Obviously looking forward to it now, the preparation has been fine and what we wanted from it. Everything has accelerated pre-season wise when the games come so quick, but I think personally it is good to get pre-season out the way. We don’t have too many concerns going into the game and it is good for the real stuff to start now. That’s why we are all here, to get competitive football and even better, it’s European football again at Pittodrie.”

Going one step further this season in Europe will be the aim, but you’ll be taking it one step at a time?

“Yes I think that’s obviously something to work towards. But at this stage it is like any cup competition and you have to take care with what is in front of you. We have a tough opponent and have to make sure we are thoroughly professional. We will try and make sure we bring a level of performance to overcome them over the two legs and hopefully we can make a positive start towards that on Thursday.

“They will be given every respect which they deserved having watched them. They are a very organised side, they have good technical players who can hurt you and when you look at their outstanding result against Zagreb last season, 1-1 whilst going down to 10 men, shows you what they are capable of doing so we need to make sure we look at their strengths and look at areas where we can cause them problems. But, we must also look at ourselves and make sure we put in a good performance.”

You’ve brought quite a few new players in already, you’ll be looking for competition for places to bring out the best in everybody?

“Yes, I think it is important we get improvement from the players who were already here and have been for a while. It’s also important we bring in players who can help that improvement and competition is part of that. We have tried to identify a lot of qualities in the team which we want to bring in. These include more presence and experience in certain areas, along with versatility, so we are pleased with the work we’ve done to get these boys in.”

Are you looking to bring in anybody else?

“Yes, but not before Thursday. We’ve registered our players for the first round now. The transfer window closing is a long way away and I can still see us making a signing or two, but the squad we have just now I am pleased with and hopefully it’s good enough to get into the next round.”

Any particular position you are still looking at?

“There are areas of the team we would like to bring players in, but again we have good players here and there is an opportunity for players to come and make a case for them to be starting by doing well in the early rounds. We get Miles Storey with us from Friday onwards, although he cannot play in the second leg and that is going to feel like a new signing as we have not had the luxury of him being with us as of yet so we look forward to that as well.”
There have been some very special European nights at Pittodrie over the years and it would be great to make some more this year wouldn’t it?

“That’s the plan. That is why we are here. I have said often enough as a club we were too long outside the European competition. A club like ourselves should be demanding to be part of it. It wasn’t so long ago we were a really respected club throughout Europe.

“I think we now have that respect back domestically and we want to keep building our reputation, we are slowly doing that with this being our third year in a row in European competition and we are looking to improve on things as we have done over the last couple seasons in Europe. Fans look towards European games for the memories, trips and experiences. The players get good experience and that helps us domestically. The club gain financially from it and we have managed to bring in good revenue through our European exploits, so everybody gains if we do well.”

What’s the situation with Niall?

“Niall is back in Aberdeen and will train this afternoon with us. We are delighted to get him back, I know Niall is disappointed about going out at the weekend, but it gave us an opportunity to get him back. We wanted Niall to get the best experience possible going to the Euros and the fact he has managed to go there and contribute, score and be part of a successful campaign is brilliant for him and we are delighted that he has done so well, but also delighted to get him back!”

Do you think there is any chance he will be involved on Thursday?

“Yes. If I didn’t feel the need to involve Niall I would have told him to stay away and get some sun. He’s our players and we’ve an important game on Thursday with one or two small concerns in the forward areas along with Miles Storey not available. We need Niall back and hopefully he can play a part in a good victory on Thursday night.”

Any injury concerns?

“We are still working our way through with Adam Rooney, he’s not missed a day of pre-season and has played three games, but he was a long time out and that is always a concern. Miles is unavailable. Jonny Hayes and Kenny McLean missed Sunday’s game with little knocks, but trained today and hopefully they will be in Thursday’s squad.”

You obviously had Fola watched, what have you made of them? What kind of team are they and what kind of problems could they cause?

“They have a set way of playing and a good consistency of selection. They have brought one or two players in and have a player suspended, but there is a familiarity about their personnel. I think we will second guess their team, give or take one position. The reports we have received say they are good technically, have a good shape, have good knowledge, have goals in them, have pace and presence up top, with good speed and physicality.

“Fola are a good side and domestically they are used to winning so they have that confidence. We just need to make sure we give them something to think about by our performance. It can be difficult to gage the standard of teams when you watch them domestically. If we perform the way we can do we are confident we can get the result we are looking for.”

Is complacency the biggest potential enemy?

“We’ve never had complacency here.

“The players will be well versed and by the time kick off comes around they will be aware of their direct opponent, the team’s strengths and where we can cause them problems. But as I say it is very important that we focus on ourselves and our strengths taking into account tactics and the opposition too. It is about bringing a strong performance ourselves and therefore we would not allow complacency to creep in, we expect and demand a standard of ourselves.”

Does Iceland’s performance last night send a message to countries which were once seen as minnows?

“It shows what can be done. We are going to come across teams who you and I have not heard of, but they are doing good work. Many countries are getting stronger like Iceland, nationally and domestically. We played against the Macedonians last year and before you would say a Scottish team should always beat a Macedonian team, but they were tougher than we expected and we had our work cut out to win the tie.

“These leagues are getting stronger. Kazakhstan for instance last year with the club owned by a rich benefactor, these nations and leagues are improving and whilst we still need to back ourselves and not shy away from it or feel inferior, we also have to realise we need to bring performances to get through these rounds and hopefully our experiences over the last few years helps us going into this one.”

A lot has been mentioned about Willo Flood’s potential future in the last few days. Is there anything in that or is it something you may look at once this tie is out the way?

“I don’t know anything about that. I have no doubts that a lot of clubs would like my players, but there is nothing imminent with that or anything else.

“We’ve spoke about setting up one or two loans for the younger ones to go out and we will do that when it is right for us. All were concentrating on, Willo included, is the game on Thursday.”

“The focus is on this game. Some teams aren’t even back. Our squad have been working since the first day of pre-season, three and a bit weeks ago now to be ready for this game.”

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