DEVLIN CONFIDENT DONS WILL KEEP THEIR COOL AND DELIVER IN THE ATHENS CAULDRON

NICKY DEVLIN already knows what a Greek atmosphere in a big European game is all about.

- BY ANTHONY EVANS

And the Aberdeen star can't wait to see what the OPAP Arena has to offer when they line up against AEK Athens.

The Scotland cap was part of the Dons side on their last trip to Greece in the Conference League, helping himself to an assist in the 2-2 draw with AEK's bitter rivals PAOK in Thessaloniki two years ago.

And he is hopeful the new group will be able to keep cool heads amongst the chaos tonight.

He said: "It's an environment and a kind of atmosphere you want to play in. You want to put yourself and test yourself in those situations. There's a few of us that played against PAOK, so you're maybe prepared for that.

"But we've got a lot of players coming from different countries that are used to playing in atmospheres like this as well.

"We're excited by it, and hopefully we can deal with it."

Devlin will come up against good pal and former Livingston teammate James Penrice after the defender swapped Hearts for AEK in a £2million deal last summer.

"I'm delighted for him and he's loving it," he added. "He was one of the standout players in his position in the league last year.

"He's one of my best pals and I played with him for three years, and it'll be good to go up against him.

"Friendships go out the window and you do whatever you can to win the game."