ABERDEEN restored some much-needed pride in Scottish football after Greg Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven netted late goals to send Derek McInnes’ side into the third qualifying round of the Europa League for the fourth year in a row.

Aberdeen had it all to do in the sweltering conditions in Bosnia after last week’s disappointing 1-1 first-leg draw with Siroki Brijeg at Pittodrie.

And it looked like they were going out on away goals as they struggled to break down the determined but limited home side.

However, while far from their best, the Dons’ perseverance paid off, with on-loan Celtic star Ryan Christie the architect of both goals.

It means Aberdeen will now have a trip to Cyprus to face Apollon Limassol as they bid to get into the play-off round.

It took Aberdeen until 18 minutes from time to make the breakthrough.

The excellent Christie was provider with a brilliantly disguised reverse pass into the path of Stewart, who calmly finished.

The Dons fans had even more to celebrate four minutes later when they got the goal which meant there was no way back for Siroki.

The alert Christie spotted the run of Mackay-Steven into the box and the former Celtic starcoolly slotted home his first goal for the Pittodrie side.

McInnes said he felt he got his preparations wrong for the tie, and that his side should have had more  pre-season matches.

“I think I put the tie at risk last week because I think we were a game short going into this tie,” said the manager, whose side had faced St Johnstone and Arbroath ahead of the first leg draw. 

“We got through because the last half hour we got stronger and stronger and you could see the energy of the players.”