Dons striker Jayden Stockley spoke to RedTV after the game on Saturday at Arbroath:

 
“To hit the back of the net twice last Saturday was pleasing and it was another good performance. The intensity for the first 60 minutes was there. It is still early days, but fitness wise the boys are now looking good. Although it feels like we have been back a lot longer, it is actually just over a month. The games are coming thick and fast and that is what you want.

“I did not get the minutes in the two European games, so games against the likes of East Fife and Arbroath are good for the boys who are not in the starting XI. It allows them to get touches of the ball and get some confidence so they are ready to do a job when called upon. I have got some real confidence from scoring five goals now in these friendly games.
 
“The side is looking an exciting prospect. Both Miles and Wes have pace in abundance, as do Jonny and Niall. It is something Adam and myself thrive on. Most of the guys can also play in a central role so the manager has plenty of attacking options and we have a very strong squad. The manager has worked hard to get in the right players so that we all complement each other. Everyone brings their own separate qualities.
 
“It is going to be tough to cement a place in the team this year because you know that you are going to have someone breathing down your neck. That is what you want, it is what a successful side needs. I am excited to be part of an attacking team, but you need to be right at the other end too, especially tonight.
 
“Maribor are an experienced side in Europe who have played against some big teams and beaten them. They have had some big European nights in the Champions League and the Europa League but we want a piece of that. We know we are going to have to raise our levels if we are to get through, but I believe we are capable of doing that. We all want to do well in Europe so hopefully we will thrive on these next two games. We are going into the tie quietly confident that we can upset them.
 
“The two previous games at Pittodrie have been great occasions and I would imagine the atmosphere tonight will be even better. The crowd really stayed with us throughout in the previous games and were very patient.
 
“I think to score the late goals we have done shows good fitness levels and good concentration. None of the boys have switched off. We know the goals have been coming. We know the talent we have in the squad. We know someone can produce a piece of magic out of nowhere. As long as we are defensively sound, we always have a chance, but not conceding away goals is crucial.
 
“When you don’t know much about the opponent, it does take time to size them up and that definitely comes into consideration. We have managed to eventually break them down in the second half. We would prefer to do it earlier, but we know over the 90 minutes we will create chances.
 
“We have a very good backroom staff who do all they can to make sure we are prepped and ready for these games. It is nice to have that professionalism at the club. There are no excuses as they give us all the information we need. Everyone knows the player they are up against. However, once the kick off comes, you have to go out and do the business and even with all the relevant information, it is still a new experience when you go out there and play against these teams.
 
“Playing in these European games was a reason I came to Aberdeen but it was not the only one. It is also the size of the club and how passionate the fans are. I have seen that already in the home games we have played and also from just walking around town. There is a really positive feel towards the club. I am here to impress and hopefully do my bit for the club. I don’t want to just be here for a couple of seasons and then leave quietly. I want to have a career at Aberdeen and score lots of goals”.