Duncan Shearer: Tough start for Aberdeen is perfect preparation for Europe

Challenging opening fixtures in the new Scottish Premiership season will ensure Jimmy Thelin’s side is ready for their Europa League play-off.

Aberdeen’s testing start to the Scottish Premiership season will be the ideal preparation for their Europa League play-off.

The fixtures for the new campaign were published on Friday and the Scottish Cup winners have been handed a tough start with a trip to Tynecastle to face former Dons boss Derek McInnes’ Hearts side followed by a home game against league champions Celtic at Pittodrie.

Tynecastle is always a difficult place to go, but as a player I used to love going there and so many players love going there.

The crowd is right on top of you and the atmosphere is always terrific.

It’s a new season, the crowd will be right up for it, and it promises to be a cracker of a game to kick-off the new campaign.

The first home game is also a belter as the Dons come face to face with the team they beat at Hampden to win the cup.

Celtic will have been stung by their first cup final loss under Brendan Rodgers, but I’m interested to see how Dons boss Jimmy Thelin and his players approach the game after celebrating their first win over the Hoops when it mattered most at Hampden.

But the bigger picture is what those two high profile fixtures can do for Aberdeen in terms of preparation for the Europa League play-off.

The Dons don’t know who they will face yet but those two league games and a Premier Sports Cup tie will be the only competitive games Aberdeen play before switching their focus to Europe.

There’s also the small matter of a trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United looming right in the middle of the Europa League first and second leg.