Leighton Clarkson grabbed a typically impressive goal to help the Dons through a testing Viaplay Cup-tie at Stirling Albion, but he paid tribute to Aberdeen’s determined opponents after the game.

“They battled well, they surprised us with their energy in the last 20 minutes and we had to dig deep. It’s still early in the season, we’re trying to find our rhythm, the same as a lot of sides. I thought we did that for parts of the game, up until they scored, but the important thing is we came through the game and we’re in the last eight.

“It was good to have Angus back tonight to get a few minutes behind him, there are one or two other boys who need to come back as well, but I think we’re moving in the right direction.

“Personally, I want to be a big part of the team, scores goals, get assists, get the team ticking, so it was pleasing to get my first goal of the season tonight. A team like Stirling Albion, playing in a cup competition at home, pose different threats to what we’re used to in the league. We probably could have been more compact defensively but we’ll go away and look at what we need to work on.

“It’s great being in the different competitions that we are in and now we’ve got to look at the European game, which is a different kind of football again. It’ll mean us having to adapt and do different things, but with having won this game now, we can start looking forward to that one.

“We’ll be watching Häcken over the next few days, concentrating on their tactics and their players. We worked hard last season to get in this position and now we want to make the most of it. I’ve played in Europe with Liverpool and so hopefully I can bring some of that experience to this week’s game.”