Brad Lyons has warned that new-look Aberdeen cannot afford to slip up in what he describes as a potential banana skin of a Premier Sports Cup opener against Brora Rangers. The former Kilmarnock skipper, who scored his first goal for the Dons in a 2-0 friendly win over Linfield, knows that Stephen Robinson's side must be on guard when they travel to the Highland League champions at Dudgeon Park on Tuesday evening.
Respect for the opposition
Lyons, 29, stressed the importance of treating Brora with the utmost respect, noting that several upsets occurred over the weekend in the same competition. "They have a lot of good players and guys with experience of league football. They are Highland League champions as well and we need to treat them with the utmost respect. There were a few upsets at the weekend and we can't let that happen to us," he said.
Lyons has recent experience of facing Brora; he was part of a Kilmarnock team that beat them at the same stage last season. He is looking for a repeat performance but acknowledges that mentality and attitude will be key. "I actually experienced it last season at Kilmarnock. Our first game was away to Brora, so I know it will be a really tough test. I am not just saying it for the sake of saying it. They are good opposition and gave us a really good test. They are fit and a really good team. We need to be on it from minute one," Lyons added.
No excuses for travel or pitch
Lyons dismissed any potential excuses related to travel or the quality of the pitch, emphasizing the high standards set by the club. "It is easy put out excuses before the game or even after it. The way the club is, the standards they set, the nutritionists and all the staff, there can be no excuses over a bit of travel or going up to a different pitch. The pitch will be decent at this time of the year. It would be different if we were going up there in December," he explained.
Despite the challenge, Lyons is eager to get the competitive season underway. "It is a tough test, we know that but we can't wait to get the competitive football going. Pre-season is all well and good but nothing matches competitive football," he said.
Building momentum for the Premiership
While Aberdeen might prefer not to be in this early stage of the Premier Sports Cup, Lyons believes it can help build momentum as they step into the new Premiership campaign. "That is what the gaffer has said. It helps if we can get a good start. Winning becomes a habit. If we can get that going then it gets the fans right behind us. They had a tough season last year. If we can make a winning start and get that momentum going into the league campaign as well," he confirmed.
Lyons on his move to Aberdeen
Lyons described his move from Kilmarnock to Aberdeen as a "no-brainer" when fellow Northern Irishman Stephen Robinson came calling. "It was a no-brainer. You see the history of the club and the amount of trophies they won. You see the players who have pulled on the shirt. When the club and the gaffer came calling we rubbed our hands, it was a no-brainer," he insisted.
The midfielder, who can also play at full-back, is focused on establishing himself in the team and dreaming of trophy success with the Dons. "I just hope to establish myself in the team first and foremost. Then it is my job to try and win as many games as possible. Whether that is playing as many games as possible or my main position: whatever it takes I am there to do it. You see how many quality players there is and the gaffer has brought in. There is a lot of competition for places. If I can do that then I want to help the team win as many games. The stature of the club, we need to be winning trophies. I would love to win a trophy," Lyons explained.
Confidence from pre-season goal
Lyons will go into the Brora game full of confidence after a fine strike in the friendly win over Linfield. He reflected on his goal-scoring record and hopes to continue finding the net during the season. "Every off-season I sit down and reflect through the season. The last few seasons I have got into positions but haven't got the goals I really should. When the gaffer brought me in, he saw me as the sort of midfielder who could get forward and help to get goals. The one on Saturday was a real nice finish. Hopefully, I haven't peaked in pre-season and I can get a few during the season," he said.
Lyons is one of 10 new faces that Robinson has brought in this summer and is determined to help Aberdeen improve after a difficult previous season. "I am new to the building. There are a lot of new faces in there. The boys who were there last season said this can't happen again, with how big the club is. The standards we are driving in pre-season and on the pitch it won't happen again. There is no stone left unturned by the gaffer and the coaching staff. We can't wait to get going on Tuesday," he added.
