Kenny McLean grabs away goal for Aberdeen against Kairat Almaty

Aberdeen found themselves two down inside the first 22 minutes of the third qualifying round first-leg match but substitute Kenny McLean lashed home an away goal in the 69th minute to leave the tie in the balance.

“If we play in the manner that we did in the second half for 90 minutes then I feel we have an excellent opportunity to get through. I said to them at half-time, go and win the second half and I believe we will win the tie”. I thought he did absolutely fine.

Things get even more weird when you consider that China is 178 miles away from Almaty, making it closer to the stadium this game was played in than Aberdeen is to Middlesbrough.

McInnes said: “The players put so much into the (Real Sociedad) game and the downside was I don’t think we had a lot more in the tank come the United game”.

“I think Kairat are still favourites because we have to score, but we know one goal could be enough”. He always backs himself to score and now he has two goals and people start to recognise the qualities he has got.

The 3,400 mile trip was also made by some 70 Aberdeen fans, with the club chartering their own private flight at a cost of £200,000 to get there and help minimise the effects of jet lag, having had to travel through five time zones on their route there. I thought we were too deep as a team in that opening period.

Despite falling behind early on against the Kazakh league leaders, the Dons had not started badly, enjoying plenty of the ball in decent areas, but were punished by some clinical play. Rijeka missed two sitters in that time, the difference yesterday was that Kairat took their chances.

And no wonder, as he pinged a magnificent dipping drive over Ward and into the net.

McInnes said: “Kenny was rewarded with his drive and positivity with his goal”. And the goal could go a long way to repaying the £300,000 transfer fee paid to St Mirren.