THE distance between the Allianz Arena and Rugby Park is significant in more than simply geographical terms for Aberdeen as they return to domestic affairs in Ayrshire this afternoon.
Even a 5-1 defeat against Bayern Munich, in front of 66,000 spectators in the former on Thursday, failed to sour the overall UEFA Cup experience, despite equalling their worst ever result in 41 years of continental competition.
After all, it was
the first time since 1986 that the Pittodrie club had survived beyond Christmas in European football, bringing with it an estimated £2m of additional revenue.
It is no exaggeration to suggest that without that financial windfall there would have been a more significant disintegration of the playing staff than just the loss of Michael Hart and Chris Clark in January. The management team might also have been on its way as well instead of agreeing a new three-year extension to their tenure, all of which makes qualification for next season's competition vital.
That, as Jimmy Calderwood knows, is dependent on producing much better performances at venues such as Rugby Park today in front of an attendance that will do well to reach one tenth the size of those present in Germany.
The Aberdeen manager said: "Going from that packed arena in Munich to Kilmarnock is a real test of your character as a player but it is one they must pass if they want to enjoy those big European nights again any time soon.
"Sometimes when you come off the back of such a big occasion you are not as focused going into the next game but we can't afford for that to be the case as our matches are running out and we are playing catch-up.
"The UEFA Cup has been a great experience but it is wasted unless you are in there every season. That right is earned winning at places like Kilmarnock then beating Motherwell at Pittodrie in midweek."
It is a viewpoint enthusiastically endorsed by the club's youngest starter in Munich last Thursday, Josh Walker, even though the player on loan from Middlesbrough will not be around to benefit from qualification.
Instead of languishing in the reserves down south, the England youth team captain spent his 19th birthday playing in a packed Allianz Arena after scoring a stunning goal in the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie the previous week. Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will decide whether such exposure becomes a regular occurrence when Walker returns in the summer but last Thursday night in Munich means he is well prepared.
"I don't think anything will phase me now after exposure to nights like the one in Germany as the atmosphere was electric and unforgettable," he said.
"It was an incredible experience for me as Middlesbrough's reserve games are played at Billingham Sinfonia's place and you can hear anything that's said from the touchline and your team mates.
"By contrast, walking out before the start to the noise of a full house you just thought 'Oh my God!', but you just had to get on with your game.
"It should stand me in good stead for going to places like Old Trafford and the Emirates in the future if I get there with Middlesbrough but my only thoughts at the moment are for Aberdeen."
The full article contains 567 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
