Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has hailed his players' effort following their 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Europa League third qualifying round.

Goals from David Zurutuza and Sergio Canales derailed the Dons in Spain and left them with a mountain to climb in the second leg, but McInnes insists that there was no shame in the result.

"I applaud my players for their efforts. Domestically we will not be dominated like that," BBC Sport quotes him as saying. "We did what we could to try and get an away goal, and we were a bit more threatening in that last 20 minutes.

"We have a lot of frustrated boys but it is only half time. There's no disgrace in losing 2-0 to Real Sociedad, they're a very good side, but we're not used to losing games."

The second leg takes place at Pittodrie Stadium next Thursday.

Written by
Mark Langshaw