ABERDEEN forward Niall McGinn has insisted the Pittodrie side will shake off their pre-season rust and kill off Macedonian outfit FK Shkendija next week.

 

Derek McInnes' side took McGinn's away goal back to Scotland after the first leg in Skopje finished in a 1-1 draw.

But the visitors were largely disappointing, deteriorating as the game progressed, and allowed Shkendija and their excitable home fans to take plenty of optimism to the return Europa League leg after a vastly improved second-half display.

The Macedonians' late leveller was certainly deserved and a reminder to the Premiership runners-up that plenty of work is still to be done on Thursday.

Despite an encouraging start, Aberdeen seemed to tire early and in the end were happy to leave Skopje's National Stadium with a draw.

But the Northern Ireland international is convinced an extra week's pre-season training and home advantage will see Aberdeen through to a second qualifying round tie against Croatian outfit Rijeka.

He said: "There's no reason why we can't finish the job. They're a good side, but we know we are a good team as well. We know the players we have.

"We'd a good look at them and we know we will create chances and could score a few goals. We've got the upper hand with the away goal. We don't want to go defensive next week - we want to go and win the game. It's another one we're looking forward to and another step towards where we want to be.

"They were very good technically, good on the ball and well organised. They probably could compete in our league no problem, but we expect to kick on next Thursday.

"We have to use these games as much as possible to benefit us as the season goes on. But the most important thing is we want to stay in this competition as long as possible so we will be giving our all to do that."

As well as a precious away goal, Aberdeen could also take heart from a very decent competitive debut from former Inverness Caledonian star Graeme Shinnie.

Shinnie was employed in a holding-midfield role and was probably the best player on the night for the Scots.

And McGinn is expecting big things from the 23-year-old at Pittodrie.

He said: "He's settled in really well. He's obviously an Aberdeen lad and he knows a few of the boys from his Aberdeen days.

"We know how talented a player he is. He's very versatile - he can play almost anywhere. In the first half especially, he worked very hard. He closed their centre-halves down and managed to get beyond them as well a few times."

Aberdeen will have to do it without key defender Mark Reynolds, with the Scotland squad player waiting to see the extent of his shoulder injury after his awkward fall.

McGinn is hoping the damage won't be too bad, but he believes the Dons are fortunate to have good cover for him.

He admitted: "It's disappointing for him. He's done brilliantly since he came to the club certainly since I've been here. It is obviously a setback, but we have a strong squad with the likes of Paul Quinn coming in. He's been solid in pre-season too.

"We're a squad team now because we have a lot of good players in every position."