Aberdeen: Adam Rooney hopes goal against Maribor is good omen

Adam Rooney scored Aberdeen's winner against Ventspils on Thursday

Adam Rooney is hoping history repeats itself when Aberdeen face Maribor in the first leg of their Europa League third round qualifier on Thursday.

The Dons striker scored the only goal of the game in Latvia on Thursday to complete a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate win against Ventspils.

"That's nine goals for Aberdeen in Europe, but 10 overall as I scored the winner for Birmingham against Maribor.

"Hopefully that is an omen for when we play," Rooney told BBC Scotland.

Rooney, 28, helped Birmingham overcome Slovenians Maribor in the group stage of the 2011-12 Europa League.

Record in Rooney's sights

Only Mark McGhee, John Hewitt and Drew Jarvie have scored more goals for the Dons in continental competition than Irishman Rooney.

"It's always good to get goals, but especially in European competition, and wherever and whoever you play, you want to set records, so I'll keep at that," Rooney said after Thursday's 1-0 second-leg win in Latvia.

"I don't know what it is, but I seem to like playing against teams from Latvia as I've certainly got a few goals against them.

Rooney celebrates his goal for Birmingham against Maribor in 2011

"It's a pity that they don't have any teams in the later rounds now as I might have got a few more against them.

"I'm just happy scoring against anyone, though, especially after the frustration of missing the last few months last season through injury.

"But it is enjoyable playing in these sort of games as it is a lot more tactical at times after playing quality teams like Groningen, Rijeka and Real Sociedad in the past."

This is the third successive season that Aberdeen have made it to the third round of qualifying and they are determined to improve on that this time.

"Obviously the last two years we have been knocked out at the third qualifying stage, which was frustrating," Rooney added.

"I think we played well in those ties, but we just couldn't get through in the end against a couple of quality teams.

"We gave Real Sociedad a scare in the second leg before going out and it was a narrow defeat against Kairat a year ago, so we weren't far away.

"I've played against Maribor, so I know and everyone here knows this is a step up in quality again.

"But we are progressing and will focus on winning at this stage this time, which means we won't be far off getting to the groups.

"We need to take confidence from what we have done in the European games, raise our level of performance again and take that forward."