DEREK MCINNES knows Aberdeen risk becoming the next Scottish team to tumble embarrassingly out of Europe if they fail to show opponents Siroki Brijeg full respect.
Rangers and St Johnstone have already crashed out of the Europa League, as the nation’s teams got the season off to a nightmare and humiliating start.
Responsibility now falls on Aberdeen to salvage some pride as they make their entrance at the second qualifying round.
“We just assume that because we have never heard of a team that they are not very good,” said McInnes. “But if you start doing a bit of digging and looking at the finances of these teams then you can see exactly what you’re up against.
“I don’t think we should be arrogant enough to think we should just be swatting these teams away.”
McInnes has made sure he and his team have been fully briefed on Brijeg and he has seen enough to know Aberdeen will have to be at their best to progress.
He said: “We split the staff up to look at both potential European opponents, I concentrated on the team who landed up getting through - Siroki Brijeg.
“Based on the two ties they deservedly went through. They were the better of the two teams. They had good energy in the middle of the park. They have a centre forward with good presence.
“They reminded me a little bit of my first Aberdeen team here with Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes, counter attacking on the sides.
2Although we are seeded this year, we have always played a good level of team in this round.”
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