Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has said that he is proud of the team's performance during their Europa League defeat to Kazakhstan side Kairat.
A Kenny McLean equaliser was not enough for the Dons, who lost 3-2 on aggregate following a first-leg defeat.
"Until someone says to me at the back end of the season – when hopefully we have a trophy in our hands – that going out of Europe was the best thing that could have happened to us, it is going to feel disappointing," McInnes told reporters.
"I couldn't have asked for more in terms of effort. The determination of the team was there for everyone to see. The fact 20,000 stayed to a man at the end to applaud them was recognition of the players' efforts.
"We lacked a bit of quality in the final third at times but for effort and even intelligence of our play, I thought it was top quality."
Aberdeen have an immediate chance to bounce back when they meet Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Jonathan McIntosh
