Scunnered. It might not be a word with which Cork-born Anthony O’Connor is familiar, but it succinctly sums up how he felt when Derek McInnes informed him on May 27 that he would not feature in Aberdeen’s starting line-up for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic at Hampden.
Being introduced as a substitute for the last 15 minutes of the showpiece game – won 2-1 by the Hoops – was of little consolation with
the hurt taking several days to subside. Sulking, however, is not part of the defender’s make-up; confidence is. Which is why he spent his short summer break determined to show McInnes that he is worthy of inclusion for every game, and at
centre-back his favoured place in the team.
There could, though, be a fly in the Pittodrie ointment in the form of Kari Arnason, the Iceland international who has returned to the Dons following a five-year absence during which he enjoyed employment at Rotherham United, Malmo and AC Omonia of Cyprus.
Another Cypriot side, Apollon Limassol, will face Aberdeen in the first leg of the Europa League’s third qualifying round at Pittodrie
tonight with the home support wondering whether O’Connor or Arnason will be named alongside Mark Reynolds in central defence.
“It was disappointing not to play in the cup final,” 24-year-old O’Connor insisted. “I had played in the three or four games leading up to it and done well and I was going into that week thinking 'I want to play'. “Thinking about it over the summer, it took me a few days to get over it, but I came back to pre-season ready to kick on and show why I'm such a good centre-half.”
The former Burton Albion player was part of the Reds side that beat Siroki Brijeg, of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last round of the
Europa League and is keen to make his mark for McInnes this season. “Winning in Europe would be a good way to do it,” he said, “but it's a team thing.
“It's not just about me going out and trying to show how good a player I am but if I can help this club get into the Europa League group
stages I'll be more than happy.”
McInnes, meanwhile, admits Apollon Limassol will be a hot handful for Aberdeen, despite no Cypriot side ever having beaten a Scots outfit in European football.
Having viewed videos of the Cypriots, he reckons they are the most attack-minded team he will have faced since first taking the Dons into Europe three seasons ago, more aggressive that past rivals like Real Sociedad, Maribor or Kairat Almaty.
But McInnes has learned that a home loss in Europe is not regarded as catastrophic. He said: “They like to dominate the ball, use the full width of the pitch, they’re good technicians with players who can handle the ball and they have good levels of experience.
“This team have been in the Champions’ League in recent seasons and they’ve qualified twice for the Europa League group stage in recent times. Fate has it they’ve just not played a Scottish team but they are moving on.”
There is a constant belief at Pittodrie that Aberdeen can win on the road and the result in Bosnia and Herzegovina where new boys Greg
Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven hit the net to win the tie proved such confidence is not misplaced.
McInnes isn't fazed about the prospect of Apollon scoring at Pittodrie. He said: “What’s been clear is that we have not won too many at home but we have only lost only once, 3-2 against Real Sociedad, at this stage of the tournament and their goal came in the closing stages when we were chasing the game. So we are now at home for the first leg but I genuinely feel we do not need to win the Pittodrie leg and we certainly don’t intend to be out of the tie either.”
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