McInnes 'confident' Aberdeen will progress

Published on: 27 July 2017

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes his side can score in Cyprus next week

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is convinced his side will finish off Europa League opponents Apollon Limassol in Cyprus next week.

The Dons take a 2-1 advantage into the game, which has been switched to the AEK Stadium in Larnaca.

Ryan Christie headed them in front after four minutes, and Graeme Shinnie hit a stunning winner on 78 minutes after Jander's equaliser.

"We go over to Cyprus confident of getting the job done," said McInnes.

"We are disappointed to lose the away goal, but we thoroughly deserved to win the game."

McInnes said he is always confident his side will score goals, no matter who they are against.

"We will be ready for them having more of the ball and we have to take the heat over there into consideration as well," he said.

"But we have had a couple of big wins when we have played against good teams like Rijeka and Siroki Brijeg in hot temperatures, so we can do that again."

Apollon Limassol head coach Safronis Avgousti was sent to the stand after his side equalised

McInnes is wary of having conceded an away goal but believes his team has the firepower necessary to reach the play-off round for the first time.

Striker Adam Rooney missed Thursday's match with a hamstring injury, but his manager has not given up hope of having his most reliable goalscorer fit to play next Thursday.

The hosts will be without Estaban Sachetti after the Argentine midfielder was sent off on Thursday, while coach Safronis Avgousti was sent to the stand.

McInnes hoped his side would have pressed home their numerical advantage, but added he was not shocked by the quality of Apollon's play.

"I'm not surprised they scored as they are a good team, but I was always confident that we would score at least two goals," he said.

"We finished the game strongly and, if it had gone on for another 10 minutes, I think we would have scored more.

"It was a very good team performance and we are beginning to show what we can be capable of in the season ahead.

"I can't not mention the sell-out crowd as well as they are a real asset to us and I just wish we could have that backing in every game at Pittodrie."

Aberdeen midfielder Graeme Shinnie scored a stunning strike to defeat Apollon Limassol

Source: bbc.com/sport/football

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more