Kilmarnock became the latest Scottish side to exit European competition in embarrassing fashion, at the hands of Connah’s Quay Nomads. Unfortunately, just about every Scottish club that’s been in Europe has had some form of continental humiliation. NTOF is rewinding back to your club’s worst ever European result. Starting off with the side that could do what Kilmarnock couldn’t, Aberdeen.
Aberdeen’s European exploits won’t be forgotten
The only Scottish side to lift two European trophies, the Dons have a rich history when it comes to flying the flag for Scotland in continental competition.
But Scottish sides getting knocked out of European competition is nothing new. And that’s exactly what happened to Aberdeen when they faced off against Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc.
Mark McGhee’s shocking start
Manager Mark McGhee’s first match at Pittodrie is one he won’t forget, for all the wrong reasons. A makeshift defence didn’t excuse from the 1-5 defeat that is the Dons’ worst ever European result.
After going 1-0 down and equalising through a superb Charlie Mulgrew free-kick, Aberdeen conceded a further four in the first leg at Pittodrie. They had it all to do over in Olomouc with no Scottish side having ever recovered from a four-goal deficit in European competition.
Instead, Aberdeen conceded three with no reply. A 3-0 loss condemned them to an 8-1 aggregate defeat which could’ve been even worse had Jamie Langfield not saved from the spot.
For a nation that loves their football as much as the Scots, it hurts to see one of the country’s ‘better’ teams be knocked out by minnows of another nation.
We should be wanting others to improve the UEFA coefficient, and making it easier for as many Scottish sides, as is possible, to compete in European competition.
But results like Killie’s and Aberdeen’s here certainly don’t help matters.