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Aberdeen need to emulate Fergie's winners

Aberdeen's Jamie Smith celebrates his goal against FC Copenhagen during their UEFA Cup Group B match on Thursday at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland. PHOTO: AP

Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen have their work cut out in the UEFA Cup knock-out stage after being drawn against 1996 winners Bayern Munich on Friday.

The Dons, who last reached this stage of the competition in 1986, beat the German giants during their successful 1983 Cup Winners' Cup campaign under Sir Alex Ferguson.

And despite a confident 4-0 demolition of FC Copenhagen on Thursday to reach the last 32 the club is under no illusion as to the task that awaits them.

"It's a reward for a fantastic achievement by Jimmy and the players," said former Aberdeen captain and current club board member Willie Miller.

"If we can repeat something along the same lines then we can go into the game with confidence, but we are not kidding ourselves -- Bayern are a top, top club," he said.

Bayern manager Ottmar Hitzfeld is confident of a positive outcome and already has one eye on a last 16 encounter.

"It's a very interesting draw with a strong opponent. To go up against the Scots should not be taken for granted, but I will go there with the belief that we will advance to the next stage and then face the winner of the Anderlecht-Bordeaux match, which will be a superior level [than Aberdeen]," he said.

"But our main objective now is to prepare well [during the winter break] and then qualify by beating Aberdeen," Hitzfeld said.

It is a point of view shared by Bayern's Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel.

"We should not underestimate this Scottish team, they are very combative," he said. "We saw during the 2008 European qualifiers that Scottish football has progressed a lot. I still believe, however, that we will win our ticket into the last 16."

David Moyes's on-form Everton, who finished unbeaten in group A, were drawn against Norwegian side SK Brann.

"It's quite a short trip for us but we are looking forward to it," said Toffees secretary David Harrison. "We put in some good performances in the group stages and hope it continues."

If Everton were to qualify they would meet another Norwegian side, Rosenborg, or Fiorentina.

Meanwhile Spurs, who reached the quarter-finals last season but lost to eventual winners Sevilla, drew Czech side Slavia Prague.

If successful against Slavia, Juande Ramos' men will face PSV Eindhoven or Helsingborg in the last 16.

Gary Megson's Bolton will have their hands full for their last 32 encounter against an impressive Atletico Madrid.

"It's a big one but they all are at this stage so we are pleased to be going to Spain," said the club's chief executive Allan Duckworth "It's a formidable challenge but one that Gary Megson will relish so we are looking forward to that."

If Bolton qualify for the next phase they will face either Sporting Lisbon or Basel.

Rangers, who enter the tournament after finishing third in their Champions League group, will play Greek side Panathinaikos, with the first leg played at Ibrox.
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