Scott Severin believes Aberdeen's UEFA Cup exploits can help drive them up the SPL as they seek to secure more European football.The Dons play Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday following their impressive 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-32 clash on Thursday.

Aberdeen stunned the tournament favourites by twice taking the lead to emerge with some hope of progressing to the last 16 next week.

And they now have a chance of moving four points above Hibs and putting the pressure on Dundee United and Motherwell, the teams jostling for third place above them.

Severin told RedTV: "Everybody wants to be playing on the European stage again and that's what we have to aim for now.

"We had a taste of it and if we can get our league form back on track, we can hopefully push ourselves back up the tale and try to grab that third spot."

The positive display against the Bundesliga leaders was in stark contrast to their domestic form - they had conceded nine goals over their previous two games, against Dundee United in the CIS Insurance Cup last four and against Celtic in the SPL.

Manager Jimmy Calderwood has bemoaned their consistency and he will again attempt to ensure they repeat Thursday's commitment in Edinburgh.

"He has been at us most of the season," Severin said. "If you look at the Dnipro game and the Copenhagen one, we set ourselves such high standards.

"He can't understand how we get from that to the United game in the semi-final and Celtic last week.

"It's all about consistency but I think most of the boys are young so it's something we need to take on board and hopefully learn from.

"It has been difficult with such a small squad. Up until now we have had something like eight to 10 games more than last season, with the CIS Cup run as well.

"It's quite difficult but if you want to be a successful team, you have got to have a tough schedule."

Former Hearts midfielder Severin relishes games against the Hibees and he is sure Aberdeen can come out on top in Leith.

"It's always difficult, there was a good game there, a 3-3, earlier in the season," said Severin, who turned 29 on Friday.

"Hopefully there will be plenty more goals but if we come out with an extra goal, that would be great. We scored three there, so there's goals in us.

"It's how we respond from the other night's game, coming from such a high back to our bread and butter.

"But everyone is looking forward to it. We need a big result and hopefully we can push on."

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