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Stephen Glass praises contribution of half-time substitute Funso Ojo in Euro win

Stephen Glass praises contribution of half-time substitute Funso Ojo in Euro win
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The midfielder played a part in both goals as Aberdeen won 2-1 and 5-3 on aggregate.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass praised the contribution of half-time substitute Funso Ojo but was modest about his part in the tactical change that ultimately saw Aberdeen win through to face Qarabag in the Europa Conference League play-off round.

The half-time introduction of Ojo and Connor McLennan and a change of formation would prove key and Ojo was involved in both the goals scored by Ryan Hedges, either side of Gisli Eyjolfsson's curling strike for the visitors as the Dons won 2-1 to progress 5-3 on aggregate.

Glass said: "Funso, when he came on at half-time, his energy, his quality, his pace were excellent. The crowd responded and backed us – it was a different atmosphere altogether and it needed to change.

"The change of shape helped Ryan. He's disappointed he's not scored three or four goals, but he's done his work for the team as well. Anything we do as a group will be as a group.

"If you sit on your hands and you doubt your judgement then you can find yourself in trouble. The players coming off didn't come off because of their performance. They came off because of what we needed on the pitch for the team.

"The players understand that and they respond right. We have to make decisions as a staff and it's me who has to pull the trigger. That's why I'm here."

The win marked the first time the club had got beyond the third qualifying round of a European competition since they reached the group stage of the UEFA Cup in 2007, and they now face a trip to Azerbaijan next Thursday.

On that, Glass continued: "I'm happy to be in the next round. We produced the goods on the pitch. We were not at our best, but we're in the next round.

"We'll leave a day earlier, we'll go there to compete and keep it alive and then a Thursday night here under the lights – you'll see an Aberdeen team really determined to make the group stages."

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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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