Glass looks to get Pittodrie rocking again
Thousand of fans are set to watch their team at Pittodrie for the first time in well over a year. We've been hearing from Stephen Glass, Scott Brown and one of those with a 'golden ticket'.
For the first time in well over a year, Pittodrie is preparing to welcome thousands of supporters through it's gates.
5,665 fans have been permitted to attend tonight's Second Round UEFA Conference League qualifier against Swedish side BK Hacken.
A tie against either Breidablik of Island or Austria Wien awaits the winner.
Glen Schreuder is host of the Dons Podcast 'Red Tinted Glasses' and is one of the lucky Dandies with a ticket.
He told Northsound:
"The excitement and anticipation to finally see an Aberdeen team for the first time in nearly 20 months is definitely dawning on everyone
"That sense of anticipation as the new season begins, it's certainly exciting seeing new players for the first time - seeing the new manager."
It's easy to forget, this will be the first time Stephen Glass has had a chance to manage in front of fans, in his new role.
In fact, nevermind the newest arrivals like Scott Brown - many in attendance won't have seen Ross McCrorie play for Aberdeen in person, or have had a chance to watch youth academy graduates Calvin Ramsay and Jack MacKenzie at full-back.
In terms of what he and other fans are hoping for, Schreuder told us:
"Stephen Glass has mentioned playing an expansive type of football, an attacking type of football.
"It would be great to see certainly more goals this season."
For Stephen Glass he believes the returning fans will help motivate his team further.
"I think a lot of the players, they almost need the pressure of people in the building.
"They need the pressure of the noise, what it creates and the extra drive it gives you."
In terms of their opponents, BK Hacken are no easy game.
The Swedes earned their spot in qualification through finishing as runners up in their domestic cup last season, they finished third in the league - just 11 points short of Champions Malmo.
And despite starting this term off badly, a managerial change coming out of their Summer break has seen Hacken win three games on the bounce.
Glass said:
"I'm expecting a difficult game, I was expecting a difficult game before they started their winning streak.
"They've won three in a row under their new manager, but what that does is it highlights to the outside, and the players, that this is not easy."
If fans in the stands is an unfamiliar sight to many, Scott Brown in an Aberdeen top is something else.
The game won't just be the first opportunity for supporters to see the Former Scotland international play in red, they'll see him wearing the armband, after Brown became ' Team Captain'.
There's no playing down the importance of the match for the former Celtic Skipper, saying:
"Huge day, huge game for us.
"Plus to get fans back into the stadium, it's amazing, because it's been so long since I've had fans in the stadium or any of the lads have had fans in the stadium as well."
Brown has been a major adversary over the years to his new team, and it's fair to say he's often been on the end of plenty of stick from the stands at Pittodrie.
But for Brown, he says he won't find it odd getting a bit more positive feedback, he said:
"I'm alright, as soon as I go on the field I kind of switch off to most things.
"Just try to focus on winning the game or trying to make sure we get the three points or go through to the next round."
The game kicks-off at 19:45 this evening.