Pittodrie Fan Power Can Blow Us Away

Feb 10 2008 By Gavin Berry

BAYERN MUNICH star Marcell Jansen was blown away by the atmosphere at Ibrox for a friendly and is now bracing himself for more Scottish passion at Pittodrie.

The German international full-back played for former club Borussia Moenchengladbach in a pre-season game against Rangers in 2005.

Jansen, who has 14 caps already at just 22, loved every minute of the experience.

And he's expecting the Aberdeen crowd to be even more pumped up for the first leg of Bayern's last-32 UEFA Cup showdown on Thursday.

Jansen, who has just returned from an ankle injury, said: "The Ibrox experience has stuck inmy mind. Despite being a non competitive match it was played at an extremely high tempo.

"The other thing that struck me was the amazing atmosphere. Even after the game the Rangers fans were hanging around our team bus and singing.

"People live and breathe football in Scotland but it's always in a positive way. I wish that was the case in more countries.

"I expect the same passion at Pittodrie. It's the Scottish mentality and that can only be a good thing for Aberdeen. We'll have to try to shut out the fans.

"Scotland were unlucky not to qualify for Euro 2008 and the referee was a little to blame in their final match against Italy.

"I watched that game at Hampden on TV and Scotland were a good team. They worked together for their manager."

Jansen was given his big break at Moenchengladbach by former Gers boss Dick Advocaat.

And he has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the past few seasons.

The youngster was part of Jurgen Klinsmann's World Cup squad in 2006 and moved to Bayern for £6million last year.

Now he wants to get past the Dons and taste Euro glory for the first time.

Jansen said: "It's my first experience of Europe with a club team. The UEFA Cup is a prestigious trophy and it's important for German football that we win it.

"But we respect every opponent. In the past there have been 8-0 and 9-0 results but that is not the case any more as the game has moved on.

"I've just come back from injury but this week I will start to get information on Aberdeen's strengths and weaknesses."