Greg Leigh is convinced this Aberdeen team can roll into uncharted territory and surpass the previous Europa League achievements under Derek McInnes.
Aberdeen have consistently got to the third qualifying round but have still to get past that stage to the play-offs.
McInnes' new-look team have reached that level again but could go one step beyond if they see off Rijeka away tomorrow night and in the Pittodrie return next week.
Leigh said: “We feel we can go further. The idea is to keep playing as well as possible and ultimately you want the performances to keep improving.
“There is no point having a good performance and dropping off that and losing confidence.
“We can relax and hopefully not have the pressure that comes with trying to break through that glass ceiling.
“We relaxed against Chikhura and look how we played. There was a real feeling around the stadium and among the players to not be on edge.
“We felt if we play our game then it is good enough. It has definitely given us confidence.”
Aberdeen saw off Rijeka in 2015 and a repeat would set up a play-off clash with the victors of the AEK Larnaca and Gent tie. Leigh wants to go even further into the group stage and believes the Dons are playing with a real spring in their step to do just that.
The left-back said: “We can take a lot of confidence into the game. The gaffer mentioned after the Chikhura game that people will look at the scoreline and deduce from the game they weren’t great.
“But we drew 1-1 away and they have scored in every game they have played. They are a team that progressed to the second round and they weren’t coming here to lie down. But we dismantled them and did very well.
“It is down to us to keep our standards high and keep playing the same way. You’re always going to take confidence from beating a team 5-0, especially against a team in European football.
“It wasn’t a pre-season side, it was a team that came to try to get something from the game.”
McInnes has rebuilt his squad and signings included Craig Bryson, Funso Ojo, Curtis Main, Ash Taylor, Jon Gallagher, Ryan Hedges and Leigh, who is on-loan from NAC Breda. Things have fallen into place quickly.
Leigh said: “I am a little bit surprised as I have been involved in teams before that have brought in a lot of players, especially last year and the year before, and it didn’t work as well.
“The one thing this manager and the club do is they bring in personalities who want to work hard and do well.
“They’re also good people. I’m excited by the fact a lot of the players are just good people to hang around with outside football.
“That really helps bringing the dressing room together to work hard for each other. It’s helped with understanding how each other plays and how we can work to our strengths. That is the difference to my previous clubs, at this club they put their egos aside and work as a unit. That is really instrumental from the gaffer.”
The big question for the Dons will be if transfer-seeking Scott McKenna makes the Croatia trip.
Leigh is in no doubt the Scotland star is destined for the top and added: “I work with him every day so I know he is a tough lad physically. He can go as high as he wants.
“In England, it is all about proving yourself at certain level to kick on and that will be down to Scott, wherever his next step is.”
