JOHN HEWITT still shivers as he recalls what became known as the tea-urn incident in deepest Transylvania in November 1981.

Hewitt had scored one of the three goals in Aberdeen's one-sided home win over Arges Pitesti in the first leg of a UEFA Cup second-round tie two weeks earlier and, by his own admission, he and his team-mates had travelled to Romania expecting an easy time on the way to the next phase of the competition.

Within 20 minutes, the Pittodrie side were two goals down, more than a little concerned, yet unprepared for a half-time managerial tsunami from Sir Alex Ferguson whose anger boiled over to such a degree that the urn, placed in the changing-room to dispense tea, did not recover from being hurled across the room.

There was, however, a remarkable recovery after the break and a 2-2 draw took the Scottish side through to round three.

Hewitt's point in re-telling this tale was clear; a failure to concentrate when his former club once more dips its toe into the unknown with a Europa League qualifier against KF Shkendija in the Macedonian capital of Skopje tomorrow night, will be heavily punished.

"I remember that tie against Arges Pitesti well," he said. "We won 3-1 in Aberdeen and we thought we were going over there for a stroll. After twenty minutes we were 2-0 down and looking as if we were going out of the competition.

"We took a bit of a lambasting from Fergie at half-time when he demanded we get back to full concentration and to passing the ball better and we got ourselves back in the game.

"Not many teams would overturn a 2-0 deficit in Europe in such circumstances.

"That would probably be unthinkable these days."

It was the focus required for European combat that Hewitt wished to stress as he urged Aberdeen to deploy patience in their effort to succeed abroad.

"The team has improved year on year under manager Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty, his assistant, since they arrived," he said.

"They've clearly set themselves targets each season and in finishing second in the Premiership last season they gave Celtic a reasonable run for their money, although they did fall away a little bit.

"But finishing as runners-up was remarkable considering Celtic's resources in comparison.

"The European thing is a new adventure for a lot of the Aberdeen players who've never experienced it.

"So, they'll relish the challenge of playing against a different type of player in a foreign country.

"When you play abroad, it's all about retaining the ball and making it work, keeping possession and then when the chances arise in front of goal you've got to take them.

"In Europe, we all know how important it is to score away from home.

"Concentration is vital, especially in an away leg because you could do well for 80 or 85 minutes and then be hit by two or even three goals if you're mind isn't on things and you're guilty of crazy defending.

"Then, you have a mountain to climb."

The 1980s were happy days for Hewitt, now 52 and a club legend as the scorer of the winning goal in the European Cup Winners' Cup final triumph against Real Madrid in Gothenburg in 1983.

He made 237 appearances for his home-town team who enjoyed a number of glitzy European nights at home and abroad and in the UEFA Cup first-round tie prior to that trip to Romania, was part of the Dons outfit that dismantled holders Ipwich Town, Fergie tactics and his side's energy proving too good for Sir Bobby Robson's team.

"Aberdeen did well last season against teams like Groningen and Real Sociedad and I really do expect them to do well this time," Hewitt insisted.

"But any game in Europe away from home is tough and you have to battle and scratch for everything.

"It's great for the younger ones coming into the team and offers them tremendous experience and I'm sure all of the squad will be looking forward to the challenge.

"I can't emphasise enough the importance of patience in such games. I've been involved in European ties like that one in Romania where it was hammered home after we'd had a big fright.

"I can see Aberdeen doing well on Thursday night and hopefully over the two legs they'll be that little bit better than their opponents and strong enough to get themselves into the next qualifying round.

"But this time round the games will, I think, be a bit sterner though we won't know, of course, until they actually get out on to the pitch."