Jamie McGrath rallies Aberdeen FC fans for Europa League shoot out as Hacken told of 'intimidating' Pittodrie

Jamie McGrath wants the Red Army to crank up the heat and help Aberdeen march into the Europa League group stage.

The Republic of Ireland international is in line to make his Pittodrie bow as a Don when BK Hacken come calling for the second leg of their play-off. McGrath came off the bench for his debut and helped Aberdeen come back to salvage a 2-2 draw in Gothenburg last week. Now he wants to finish the job at home. He has been to Pittodrie on several occasions as a St Mirren and Dundee United player and admits it can be an intimidating place to get a result.

McGrath said: “I am looking forward to it. It will be my home debut so hopefully I’ll be involved. I’ve only played there as an away player. Pittodrie can be intimidating when the fans are on it. There will be a big crowd and the fans could be important. They can be intimidating and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.

“It is a big prize. We know what is at stake. Even at 2-0 in the first leg we couldn’t panic or get too high or low. We got the right result but will be going out with the same mind set, with it all to play for.”

It’s still half-time in the tie and McGrath knows from bitter experience how the pendulum can swing. He was part of the Dundee United team that beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home then lost 7-0 in Holland last season.

He said: “Yip, games can flip in an instance. That is the quality you are playing against. One mistake and you get punished. At this level you can’t afford to have off nights.

“It is all-square going to Pittodrie. We showed elements in the first leg we can take a lot of positives and confidence from.”

McGrath has only been at Aberdeen a matter of days but has already seen Barry Robson’s squad is full of character with their