Derek McInnes insists Aberdeen can win tie in Bosnia

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes on the touchline. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS

The Pittodrie side’s fourth successive European campaign threatens to be a short once again after being held at home by NK Siroki Brijeg last night.

But wins against teams in the Netherlands and Croatia in recent seasons are proof something can still be salvaged from a tough assignment.

Aberdeen swept into the lead in front of 17,000 fans, Ryan Christie curling home after 16 minutes. But an equally well-struck goal by Stipo Markovic drew the Bosnian side level.

Now Aberdeen are left with a perilous trip to the Balkans next week, where they will need to win, obtain a high-scoring draw or triumph in a penalty shoot-out, in the event of another 1-1 draw, to progress.

“I’m disappointed we’ve not managed to get a win tonight,” said McInnes. “They are a decent side as we said beforehand and thoroughly deserved a draw.

“It was always a concern coming back to a different round, against a higher quality of opposition. It’s clear we have a bit to go.

“The tie’s still in the balance, it’s half time. We’ve had a lot of our better results on the road in Europe. Hopefully we can be better for having the minutes tonight.”

“When we did get after them, we caused them problems,” said McInnes with reference to Siroki. “We aim to do that next week.”

Meanwhile, McInnes denied Aberdeen have made a fresh bid for Motherwell striker Louis Moult.

“We put a bid in for Moult last week which was rejected and there’s been no contact since that,” he said. “We’re hopeful that we can get a defender in in the next few days.”

l David McAllister’s injury-time strike gave Shamrock Rovers hope after they lost their first leg 3-2 to Mlada Boleslav. Golgol Mebrahtu’s double and Jan Chramosta’s late strike put the visitors in control despite Graham Burke equalising three minutes after half time.

Cork lost 1-0 to AEK Larnaka after Joan Truyols’ second half goal downed the Irish side.