Aberdeen vs NK Maribor - Shinnie hoping Maribor underestimate Aberdeen

Posted Thursday, July 28, 2016 by PA

Aberdeen full-back Graeme Shinnie hopes Maribor assume another Scottish mission in Europe is a favourable draw for them - because the Dons feel they can exploit any over-confidence.

Maribor are looking to overcome a fourth Scottish team in six years when they face Aberdeen in the Europa League having earlier knocked out Hibernian, Rangers and Celtic.

But Aberdeen have defied the odds against the likes of Dutch side Groningen and Rijeka of Croatia in recent seasons, and Shinnie believes they can do the same against the seeded Slovenians ahead of Thursday's third qualifying round first leg at Pittodrie.

When it was put to him that Maribor might be happy playing another Scottish team, the former Inverness player said: "Maybe but I don't think that would be a great thing for them because we are well up for this game and we know we can win this game. If I was them I wouldn't take it lightly. We have had great results in Europe in the past few seasons.

"There's massive belief. I wasn't here for the Groningen game but the Rijeka away game, with their pedigree at home, was a massive test and we didn't go there with any fear. That was up there with one of the best nights in my career. We know we can do it on the big nights."

Aberdeen have scored three goals in each of their two home legs so far and Shinnie is further emboldened by their new strength in depth up front after Wes Burns, Jayden Stockley and Miles Storey joined in the summer. Both Burns and Stockley netted after coming off the bench against Ventspils in the previous round.

Shinnie said: "Especially at home in the last two rounds we have looked good going forward and created plenty of chances. I think we are a team that always looks like they are going to score. It will be a different test against Maribor but it's up to us to do the business on the night.

"The Ventspils game at home, especially, showed the depth we have got in the squad. We were doing well in the game, we maybe just needed something different. The manager made the changes and it paid off well. To have that coming off the bench is great, it gives the whole team a lift."

Defender Callum Morris will not feature in the first leg. The former Dundee United player has recovered from an Achilles injury but is short of match fitness.