Mayo relishing 'step up in pressure' at Aberdeen

Defender Lewis Mayo has described his move to Aberdeen as "a step up in expectation and pressure". Mayo arrived at Pittodrie from Kilmarnock on a three-year deal earlier this summer and has settled in well, being deployed at centre half – and right back – helping the Dons to victory in all three of their League Cup group stage games so far. "It is a fresh start for me," the 26-year-old said ahead of Aberdeen's next League Cup game against Kelty Hearts. "The ambition of the club and the way the club wants to work and aim for going forward I think there is a lot to be excited about. "At my point in my career, I have already got a good experience in this league and it is a step up in expectation and pressure but that is something I am excited for." Before Mayo arrived in the north east, Aberdeen finished last season in the bottom half of the Premiership table and at points found themselves involved in a relegation battle. The new signing knows that performances will have to be better this term. "I think there is an understanding that last season the club fell below the expectations for the standards here," he added. "So I think first foremost we need to finish higher up the table, everyone here knows that. "I think with the structure of the league and the way the split works we need to keep ourselves, and look at ourselves, as a top six team and keep ourselves on track for that. "If we do that and we are in the top six come the split then we can start looking at European spots after that."