DEREK McInnes says it’s important his team can build on Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup victory as they welcome FK Jablonec to Ibrox in the UEFA Conference League play-off.
The manager hopes to see a strong display and a positive result from his side to take to the Czech Republic for next week’s second-leg.
Speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, McInnes said: “Winning is why we are all here. You can be as good as you want Monday to Friday, but if you don't win your game at the weekend, then it is tough.
“Even coming in on Monday morning after the win against St Mirren, everybody was a bit brighter and had a bit more of a spring in their step. I want a winning dressing room, I want a winning club and getting a win was important for us.
“It has taken a bit longer than we would've hoped to get ourselves going, but I think the manner of the win was quite convincing; a lot of what we wanted from the game we got. There are still certain things we need to improve on, but scoring five goals at home in any sort of game is good, so we have got to take the positives.
On what he expects from Jablonec, he continued: “For me it is a game we put the emphasis on ourselves to go and win it. We have watched them, but sometimes you can never really tell because they are playing teams in their own league and the teams they have played previously in Europe have maybe not been the same level as what we are.
“At the same time, you can only take on what is in front of you. They clearly are a well-organised team, like most teams are; they have a few good individuals who can make the game a bit more problematic, but we feel as though we have got a good handle on what they are.
“They can change from shape to shape a lot of the time, even within the same personnel so we have got to be ready for that but ultimately I am just going back to what I said earlier I just want to concentrate on us finding our level and getting big performances, because I feel if we can do that, although I am expecting a tough game, I expect it to be tougher for them.”
With Kosta Nedeljković confirmed as the 11th signing of the summer transfer window, McInnes was pleased to add the right-back to his squad.
He said: “It was a position we had identified at the start of the pre-season just to try and bring in. We have looked at various different options, and obviously the club has been relying on Dujon, and he has had his history of injuries and issues, so we were looking to bring a different type of full-back.
“I have got a high opinion of Dujon, but I think with Kosta what you get is similar to Vanja but in a full-back position: real enthusiasm, athleticism to get up and down the pitch, he shows good quality.
“When it is someone so young, there are obviously still going to be areas to improve, but I’m looking forward to trying to get those improvements with him. His eagerness to come here was clear, and the conversations we had with him a few weeks ago at the outset, after speaking to him, it was something we were keen to do.”
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