Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes admits he got Europa League preparations wrong, but Dons safely through to next round

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes admitted he got his Europa League preparations wrong – but no damage was done after his side won 2-0 against Siroki Brijeg to ease through.

McInnes felt he should have played another pre-season match before last week’s 1-1 draw at Pittodrie and the Dons were heading out of the competition with 18 minutes left of the second qualifying-round tie in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But Aberdeen had found an extra gear in the final half hour and Greg Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven both finished off expert through balls from Ryan Christie to set up an encounter with Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.

McInnes, whose first team played friendlies against St Johnstone and Arbroath before the first leg, told BBC Radio Scotland: “I think I put the tie at risk last week because I think we were a game short going into this game.

“In hindsight I probably should have played another pre-season game.

“We just about got through because the last half hour we got stronger and stronger and you see the energy of the players.

“They didn’t lose too much fitness, it was just that competitive edge, but I felt I put it at risk and I would have taken responsibility for that.

“But it’s something you learn. Thankfully I’m not beating myself up too much because we got through.”

Match report

Greg Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven both netted their first Aberdeen goals as the Dons sealed Europa League progress with a 2-0 victory over Siroki Brijeg in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ryan Christie created both goals in the final 18 minutes to secure a 3-1 aggregate win and set up a third qualifying-round encounter with Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.

Aberdeen and the game itself only came alive in the final half hour and Derek McInnes’ side found the quality needed to avoid a hat-trick of instant exits for Scottish clubs in the competition following defeats for Rangers and St Johnstone in the opening round.

Joe Lewis was marginally the busier goalkeeper in the first half, seeing Ivan Kristanovic’s shot zip not far wide after an early corner and soon making what proved the only save of the half, comfortably catching a 25-yard strike.

The hosts committed 13 first-half fouls, skipper Josip Barisic the culprit on several occasions after his 25th-minute booking, as they frustrated Aberdeen.

Kenny McLean was well off target with a couple of long-range efforts and the whistle went for an obvious push when Andrew Considine hit the post with a header. And there were no takers for Christie’s driven cross when the Dons finally got in behind their opponents just before the break.

Danish referee Michael Tykgaard handed out two bookings to the hosts in the opening two minutes of the second half, the first foul leading to the home goalkeeper’s first save, although the ball bounced off a defender following Christie’s free-kick.

Lewis dived to save a strike from Kristanovic before the Dons burst into life just before the hour mark.

Christie’s 22-yard strike was spilled before Stewart sliced the rebound wide, although he appeared to be fouled by Stipo Markovic in the process. Christie then sent a free header wide from 12 yards following Mackay-Steven’s cross.

There was another chance two minutes later as Considine’s header looped just wide of the top

corner following Christie’s free-kick.

Nicky Maynard replaced the ineffectual Jayden Stockley before Lewis pulled off a tremendous reaction stop to push Kristanovic’s acrobatic effort over after the visiting defence had become stretched.

The game swung in Aberdeen’s favour moments later as Stewart was afforded some space in the channel to run on to Christie’s disguised pass and slot home with his weaker, right foot.

Christie was the provider again six minutes later with a brilliant angled pass to set up Mackay-Steven, who finished high into the far corner.

That left the hosts needing three goals and they did not look like getting even one.