Aberdeen: Derek McInnes seeks good tempo against Shkendija

Aberdeen drew 1-1 with Shkendija in Skopje

Manager Derek McInnes is warning that Aberdeen cannot afford to take Shkendija lightly in their Europa League return match.

The Dons left Macedonia with a 1-1 draw last week and the Dons boss was impressed by the opposition.

"There is work to be done," said McInnes. "We never thought it was going to be won or lost in the first leg.

"We may have a slight advantage, with the fact we have that away goal in the bag and we are at home."

Niall McGinn gave Aberdeen a 79th minute lead in Skopje only for Hristijan Kirovski to level soon after.

"We got in and out of Macedonia with a decent result and hopefully there is more to come from us," added McInnes, who is without injured defender Mark Reynolds.

"Over there, we wanted to make it as uneventful as possible, whereas here we want to ask more questions of them.

"It's getting the balance between being patient enough and being able to generate tempo and pace to the game.

"We know if we play with pace with a much tougher opponent.

"We had relative control of the game last week and it's important that we impose ourselves on the game in front of our own fans."

Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney will hope to see more of the ball in the second leg at Pittodrie

After a tame first 45 minutes, Shkendija were much improved in the second half of the first leg, enjoying the best of limited chances in front of goal.

"They showed how dangerous they can be if we are not fully concentrated," added McInnes.

"They are littered with internationals and they have players who can cause you problems if you give them time and space. They have more than one or two match-winners.

"They are a good technical side and they were very well organised.

"I've no doubts they are a team that could more than hold their own in the Scottish Premiership.

"It's a tough match but one we go into feeling confident about ourselves."