Midfield man Stuart Armstrong sees the grandstand finish to the game against Shakhtar Donetsk as the launchpad for the Dons’ league season as they approach Sunday’s game with Dundee.

“It was a strong finish. I think we fought to the end so we can be proud of that. It was a tough game in general. They moved the ball really well. We went up early and then we had a really low block for a long time and to lose that goal so close to half-time was a sore one.

“I think we did play quite deep and that allows them space so you need to counteract that a little bit and find the balance. That was the task for today. To lose the two goals in the second half was disappointing but the fight back was positive and I think that’s what we’ll take from the game. I think we looked dangerous at the end, chasing an equaliser. I think we need to take that energy, the crowd were behind us and we need to give the fans a bit more of that.

“Our league form obviously needs to pick up. It was a different challenge tonight, a very, very good team, very comfortable in possession, so it was a different kind of game for us. But we need to take that experience and have that belief that we can compete against the quality of that tonight and take that into our league competition. You want to take the positives but you want to turn it into something that’s real, into points and win and goals and that’s our main aim.

“When Jesper stuck the penalty in, it was clearing the air almost, we can score a goal and build from that. It’s one of those things that sort of builds up when you don’t score a goal in a few games. It becomes the talking point and that’s where we need to be calm within ourselves and remain focused and remain positive to show that we can be a good football team.

“Considering our start, it places a greater importance on getting a win against Dundee and that’s what we’ll be looking for. Everyone at the club knows how important that game is and the positivity of the last 15-20 minutes of this game will fuel us and give us some energy going into Sunday.”