Dean Campbell is one of a number of young players who have impressed during the pre-season campaign. The midfield, who has now 12 first team appearances to his name, last season started in the Scottish Cup games against Rangers at Ibrox and the semi-final against Celtic. He also scored his first top team goal against Livingston last December.

Dean believes the experience gained playing in those big games will stand him in good stead ahead of the Dons massive Europa League tie on Thursday against RoPS.

“It called upon I am ready for Thursday.

“I am ready for whatever the manager needs me to do, whether that is starting or coming off the bench.

Pre-Season

“For me personally, I feel the pre-season campaign has gone well. I am really happy with the way it has gone. I have come back fit and have got good minutes into my legs as well so I am ready to go.

“Each game we have come up against better opposition, so Inverness was a good test ahead of the Europa League. I felt we were in control for 60 or 70 minutes but towards the end it became more even. We were disappointed to have conceded from a set piece and also not take more of our chances to win the game. But it is a positive we are creating chances and we have had two clean sheets which has been pleasing.

“Overall I feel we are in good shape going into the game on Thursday.

“We are looking forward to getting back to competitive action now.

“I am ready to go and ready to make an impact this season.”

Season Ahead

“I feel it is a big season for me.

“Last season I had a good taste of what it takes to be a first team regular and at the moment there is a lack of central midfielders so it down to me to force my way in and earn my place in the team, and that is certainly what I am aiming to do.

“It is completely down to me.

“The manager will play who he feels is best to play in that position. It is down to me to work hard and prove I am ready to play in that spot. Then if I do get a chance, I have to take my opportunity when it comes.”

Craig Bryson

“It excites me see players of the calibre of Craig Bryson coming to Aberdeen.

“He has played at such a high level, so it shows me the standard I need to get to, if I want to play at the highest level possible. I look forward to new players coming in and I am looking forward to testing myself against good professionals.

“He is someone I can learn from.

“He has played at such a high level and played against some of the best players in England. I really look to learn off him and as he gets back to full fitness, I will be asking him lots of questions, probably annoying him at times!

“I just want to learn as much as I can from players who have played at that level. I want to put that into my game.”

Pressure

“I don’t feel pressure when I play for the first team now.

“I have now been involved in some big games and big occasions.

“I know what I can do on the ball. I feel that any game I go into, I can control a game of football, it is just the other side of the game I need to work on. I like to work on my defending and my tackling and getting up to the ball.

“There is no pressure though to get on the ball, even if it is on the biggest stage.

“I relish it and enjoy playing for the team I love.”

Thursday

“We will spend this week looking at the opposition. We will work on the game plan. We expect a tough game.

“It is a game where we are expected to have a lot of the ball. It is important that we take our opportunities when they come and try and create as many openings as we can. It goes without saying that it is vital that we can keep them out at the other end.

“I was on the bench against Burnley last year. It was a fanatic tie in terms of the name of the team we were playing. It was also a great tie because of the way we performed. It was a brilliant experience to see English Premier League players playing at that level.

“I have never been to Finland before so that will be a new experience.

“Hopefully we can have a good run this year and get to play in some more big games.

“We have to aim for getting to the group stages. We have fallen at the last hurdle before the final qualifying game in the past. It will be difficult going one stage further but we have to believe we can.

“It starts on Thursday and that is our only focus.”