Job done for Derek McInnes as Aberdeen progress

Boss Derek McInnes praised his Aberdeen side after they eased into the third qualifying round of the Europa League with a 4-0 aggregate win over Ventspils.

Holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg at Pittodrie, Irish striker Adam Rooney hit a late winner in Latvia.

Joe Lewis had saved a first-half penalty for the Dons, who were comfortable throughout the second period to set up a meeting with Slovenian side Maribor.

McInnes told RedTV: "Getting through to the third round for the third straight season, it does not get any easier.

"Ventspils are a decent team and we have had to come up with a couple of decent performances at this stage of the season to get through.

"The level of competition will improve each round so we have to make sure we improve as well and make sure we are ready for it.

"We have to make sure we are ready to give a strong performance next Thursday.

"The tournament starts to heat up at this stage and hopefully we will get a really good crowd at Pittodrie next week.

"I can't wait. I know the players are the same. It will be a proper European night."

McInnes was glad to get into the next round without "any drama and incident".

He said: "Apart from a few bits of loose possession I thought we did that. I felt the drama came from the officials.

"I thought it was never a penalty kick but thankfully Joe has tidied that mess up with a brilliant save.

"I thought in the second half we were the better side and took our chance when it came along.

"Rooney is so reliable in those situations. We actually had the better chances in the game.

"I thought we deserved to win the game. Both teams were closer tonight in terms of level of performance compared with at Pittodrie but at 3-0 up there was no need for us to go chasing the game.

"To win the tie 4-0 and to get two clean sheets was very pleasing."