DEREK McINNES hailed his Aberdeen heroes after they produced a sensational European display and were applauded off the park by the impressed home fans.
Aberdeen turned in a brilliant performance to crush Croatians Rijeka and demolish their proud home European record which saw the likes of Europa League-winners Sevilla fail to win at their fortress Kantrida Stadium, while Feyenoord and Standard Liege were defeated – they were previously unbeaten in 12 home games.
But Andrew Considine and Peter Pawlett headed Aberdeen into command of the tie either side of the break before substitute Kenny McLean netted his first goal for the Pittodrie side to kill it off already before a ball gets kicked in anger in Aberdeen.
McInnes' side will now await today's third qualifying round Europa League draw with huge interest, since they will be seeded – assuming they complete the job next week. It was a measured, mature display from Aberdeen, who soaked up plenty of pressure and were clinical on the counter-attack, much to the delight of manager McInnes.
"I’m immensely satisfied and proud of the players' efforts," McInnes said. "The conditions were very difficult, but we got the goals at good times and the players were excellent in terms of their application, but that is only a tiny part of the game and the sheer endeavour of the players in those conditions was very pleasing for me to see.
"But it is still only half-time in the tie, although that doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy this result. Tonight is about the players. Coming here as an Aberdeen team against a team with such a strong recent home record here, and we reeled off a lot of top teams, I think for the club it is a big result.
"My satisfaction comes from the tightness of the squad and the substitutes contributing when they came on, and the support of those who were stripped but didn’t play. That’s the most satisfying part for me.
“Our own support were fantastic and we could hear them throughout the game. I thank them for their effort in coming here to support their team, but the home support giving my players support in recognition was great to see."
And devastated Rijeka boss Matjaz Kek admitted: "Aberdeen gave us a lesson in great football. We apologise to our supporters."
Although the sweltering temperatures had dipped slightly, it was still in the low 30s by kick-off in the spectacular setting of Rijeka's Kantrida Stadium, squeezed in between the cliff face and the Adriatic Sea and hosting its penultimate game before the Croats move into a new ground.
Rijeka did hit the post in the ninth minute through Marin Tomasov, but the Scots grew in confidence and the Dons took a shock lead seven minutes from the interval from the second corner.
Niall McGinn's deep cross was met by Considine at the back post who powered in a peach of a header to give Aberdeen the breakthrough.
And the visitors nearly doubled their lead two minutes from the break when Pawlett saw his header from a Jonny Hayes cross ruled out for offside. But Pawlett wasn't to be denied and grabbed Aberdeen's second goal eight minutes after the break. Shay Logan bombed down the right flank before delivering a superb cross. Pawlett stooped low to head the ball into the net from 15 yards out to spark scenes of huge celebrations from the visiting support.
And Aberdeen finished Rijeka off by incredibly rattling in a third goal in the 75th minute with another excellent move.
Logan and David Goodwillie linked up before the former Dundee United striker teed up sub McLean to volley in his first-ever goal for Aberdeen.
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