Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie has insisted that the Pittodrie side cannot be distracted by their game against Rangers on Sunday as they prepare to play Burnley in their Europa League qualifier. Derek McInnes’ side head south tomorrow with the score poised at 1-1 after the opening leg in Aberdeen in the second round qualifier and Shinnie is relishing the hectic opening weeks of the season. “It would be absolutely massive if we go could through,” said Shinnie. “We all have the belief we can do it. It would be a massive achievement and one that would set us up nicely for the start of the season on Sunday. “We certainly couldn’t rest on our laurels because we have a huge game against Rangers a few days later. And after that we would have the next game of the Europa League. “We are used to hectic starts to the season with the early European games. The Rangers games is on the horizon but it has not been in our thoughts yet. The sole focus is the Burnley game and trying to get through that tie.” And Shinnie has warned that Aberdeen cannot afford to be too naive as they prepare for the game against Burnley. “It would have been better to go there with a 1-0 lead,” he said. “Now we know we must got there and get a goal. It is not about going hell for leather straight away. It is going to take time and patience. It is all about trying to put as much pressure on them as we can. “They are a very good team who finished where they did last season on merit. We know they have good quality but we will be trying to put pressure on them and force them into mistakes. We created a lot of chances at Pittodrie so we know we can do that. We have the belief we can go there and get a result but we know we need to defend.
Source: Herald, News
Source: Herald, News
