McGinn: Dons must move on
Forward Niall McGinn wants Aberdeen to take heart from the way they performed in Europe and use it to boost their Ladbrokes Premiership bid.
The Piitodrie outfit crashed out of Europe on Thursday night as Kazahks Kairat Almaty claimed a 3-2 aggregate victory.
It was a bitter blow for Derek McInnes side after they pinpointed a place in the Europa League group stages as an early season target.
But after pushing Celtic close for most of last season, McGinn now wants the Reds to concentrate on their league ambitions.
They face Kilmarnock on Sunday at home and McGinn believes they can heap more misery on the Rugby Park side following their 4-0 drubbing by Dundee last week.
McGinn told RedTV: "We just have to take confidence from the European games and use it in the league action.
"We're out of the competition now and we just have to give our 100 per cent concentration on the league games coming up.
"Kilmarnock had a sore defeat last week and they will be wanting to bounce back from a poor performance and poor result.
"We know we are in for another tough game. They will definitely come here and set their stall out to defend and hit us on the counter. But we are a good footballing side and we will hope to create the chances that allow us to win the game."
McInnes will have to decide if his drained players need another break.
He rested David Goodwillie, Niall McGinn, Ryan Jack and Peter Pawlett for last weekend's league opener with Dundee United but may opt to freshen up his side.
Defender Mark Reynolds remains out after shoulder surgery.
Gary Locke has warned his Kilmarnock players they cannot afford to focus on Kenny McLean as Aberdeen's loan danger man.
The Dons midfielder has started the season in stunning form with four goals in his last five games, including three Europa League strikes.
Locke told Press Association Sport: "Kenny McLean is someone we will have to look out for but he's not the only one.
"Aberdeen are a very strong side right now and with the likes of Adam Rooney, Niall McGinn and Ryan Jack, they have quality right through their team.
"So it's not just about one player. We will have to be wary of the whole side.
"They had a disappointing result on Thursday night but I don't think that will affect them. I watched them last weekend at Tannadice and they were very impressive in beating Dundee United.
"Derek has got them playing really well, and even though they missed out in Europe they will still be very dangerous at home."
Killie made a nightmare start to the Ladbrokes Premiership campaign when they were thrashed 4-0 in their opener with Dundee.
And the fixture list has done them no favours, with their next two clashes putting them up against the Dons, last season's runners-up, this weekend and champions Celtic on Wednesday.
However, Locke said: "You have to play everyone at some stage so it's not something I'm worrying about.
"I believe in my players and feel that if we can show a better reflection of ourselves on Sunday than we did against Dundee, we will do okay."
Locke has been hit with a fresh blow after Dale Carrick was ruled out for two months with a hamstring tear.
The former Hearts striker suffered the injury in training on Monday and it is the last thing Locke needs after last week's four-goal thumping by Dundee.
Midfielder Craig Slater is still recovering from double hernia surgery while Tope Obadeyi has an ankle knock. Goalkeeper Craig Samson, meanwhile, has been released.
Source: PAR
