Source: Team_Talk
Dons boss rues 'clumsy' defending
Aberdeen's Europa League humiliation was complete as Sigma Olomouc showed no mercy in romping to a 3-0 victory to wrap up an 8-1 thrashing in the third qualifying round tie.
The goals at the Andruv Stadium came before half-time, with Tomas Janotka, a Marek Kascak penalty and Michal Hubnik all finding the net.
It could have been worse but for outstanding Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, who also saved a spot-kick.
Otherwise, it was another inept defensive performance, compounding the misery of the travelling supporters following reports of skirmishes involving rival fans in Olomouc.
"It was another difficult night for us, but we were beaten by a very good team and we wish them well," said McGhee after his second competitive game in charge. "It was an unfortunate first 15 minutes. We conceded clumsy goals."
Despite the embarrassing scoreline, McGhee was determined to take positives from the tie.
"I think I could have seen progress in these two games," he said. "We can learn from the service they got to their strikers and we can try to play the same way as they played.
"The pleasing thing was that even when it was 3-0, the team stuck together. We are going to put it behind us and use it as a learning process."
Dons fans will now be looking to next Saturday's Scottish Premier League opener against Celtic with a real sense of trepidation, but McGhee added: "We are much more ready for the Celtic game than before the last two matches."
Sigma boss Zdenek Psotka was delighted with his side's attitude to the game following last week's 5-1 success at Pittodrie.
"I am very happy and satisfied," he said. "We are glad we won at home as well and that we pleased our supporters.
"I would like to thank them, because they made a really good atmosphere. I wish it would be the same during every match.
"We did not expect to win so easily. At the beginning, both teams had chances, but only we scored. It was very open and attacking football today.
"Aberdeen wanted to score until the very end of the game.
"Therefore, there was space for us to make quick strikes on the open defence. I do not think the difference between us and Aberdeen was as big as the score."
