EURO AGONY DRIVES DONS' RETURN BID

MATS KNOESTER has urged Aberdeen to use their European pain to make sure they have more continental clashes in the next campaign.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

The Dons' home defeat to Strasbourg on Thursday ended their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages with one game still to go.

But domestically the Scottish Cup winners have overcome a worrying start with an excellent run that has taken them within sight of the European qualification spots.

Knoester believes securing one of those spots is now the minimum goal for the Dons so the Dutch defender wants a win over Kilmarnock today to help them on their way.

He said: "We have to keep going and do what we have been doing in the last few weeks in the league so it is very important to win against Kilmarnock.

"Our aim is to get back to Europe. To do that we have to get into the top six and fight for Europe."

Knoester was left a frustrated figure against Strasbourg when he thought he had given his side the lead only for it to be chalked off by VAR.