Aberdeen boss backs McLean to shine this season

McLean was a high-profile January signing from St Mirren, commanding that rarest of things in Scottish football...a transfer fee. The £300,000 price tag came with no guarantee of success though and Dons fans would agree they have yet to see the best of the 23-year-old.

Despite netting seven goals for a dismal Saints side who were eventually relegated, McLean has yet to open his account for Aberdeen.

However, McInnes is convinced McLean will show the supporters just why he was so keen to land the former Scotland Under-21 international.

The manager said: "Kenny has fitted in brilliantly with us. It's not always easy to make that transition from a club that was hugely dependent on him and battling relegation.

"There's no doubt about his quality. We feel he's one of a few players we have brought in who can add something to us. We have no doubt Kenny can bring a goal threat from the central areas.

"It's a big season for him but it's a big season for a lot of players.

"Kenny played in a few positions at St Mirren and he was someone they looked to when looking for results. He took that on board brilliantly.

"Whenever we watched him, we saw he always took responsibility. Even when things were not going well he was looking to impose himself and affect the game positively. He's brought that attitude to our club and he backs himself to make things happen.

"He's someone we enjoy working with and we feel there is improvement to come.

"We see him scoring goals in training day in and day out. It's something that happens sometimes. I do think that, although our goal return was good as a team, there was a large weight of responsibility on Adam Rooney up front.

"We still chipped in goals from elsewhere. We had the second best return from set pieces but we are looking to add more from open play.

"Kenny's job is to get amongst it. His general play has been terrific and we are more than happy with him."

The Premiership runners-up face dangerous opposition tonight with the Macedonians quietly confident of getting a decent result against the Scots.

But Aberdeen will have the advantage of playing the game at Macedonia's National Stadium, with the tie being moved from Shkendija's home city of Tetovo. The heat in Skopje won't be an issue either, with the game kicking off at 9pm local time.

McInnes is wary of Shkendija, who recently splashed out a reported £5,000-a-week to bring back former Wolfsburg winger and star man Ferhan Hasani.

However, he has belief in his players to handle the occasion, which is likely to be played out in front of a tiny attendance.

McInnes added: "It may take a bit away from them as it is not at their home ground.

"The game is the game regardless of where it is. In terms of atmosphere it is not going to be what we are used to and maybe not what they are used to but the stadium is fine. The pitch is fine.

"Once the first whistle goes you just have to go and deal with the game. It is not about the pitch, the surroundings, the opposition - it is about our ability to bring a level of performance that we are capable of.

"It is the performance that will get us the result we are looking for.

"You are never really sure of where the levels are. We weren't really that sure of where the Latvians were last year, but I think it is safe to say that Shkendija present a bigger challenge than we faced this time last year.

"Equally, we want to make sure we are a tough nut for them as well. We have work to do and will need two strong performances to get through the tie."

McInnes - who has a full and fit squad to select from - has no doubts his side will easily snap out of pre-season mode.

He said: "It is important you do get your game head on going into that first match, but until the referee's whistle blows you are never sure. All you can do is try to get confidence through to the players.

"We have tried to get an edge to our training and we have reinforced to the players the need for that edge, tempo and tenacity to our play."