SCOTT McKENNA played for Aberdeen, but he could not stop them falling to a two-goal defeat to Rijeka, which leaves their Europa League hopes hanging in the balance.

Goals from Antonio Colak and Robert Muric saw the Croats earn a deserved victory. At full time, they celebrated with a lavish firework display, that lasted far too long and became tedious. But credit where it is due, Aberdeen skelped them 3-0 on their last visit here so the hosts were entitled to enjoy their win.

Despite defeat, McKenna, who submitted a transfer request over the weekend, did little wrong.

“Scott had his game head on so it was probably a release for him to concentrate on the game,” said manager Derek McInnes. “Tonight showed clearly why there is interest in him. He has been through the wringer the last wee while, he’s had a lot to contend with and people in his ear.

“I think there has been no shortage of disappointment, probably, but he channelled it the right way. He is going one way, for me he is going to the top and he showed why tonight.”

On the bench for Aberdeen was defender Zak Vyner, who arrived in Croatia yesterday having agreed a loan deal from Bristol City on Wednesday night.

McInnes added: “He will add competition. He’s a good size, he uses the ball fine, he’s got pace and I’m sure he will prove his worth to us. He had a bit of a journey to get here but he showed determination to make it.”

It was a testing evening in the Balkan heat, with players strips sticking to their body even before a ball had been kicked. Rijeka looked good technically and started with impetus. Roberto Puncec really should have done better when Tibor Halilovic’s well-placed corner came to him on the penalty spot but he misjudged his volley and sent it over the bar.

Aberdeen’s best opening in the first half came after nine minutes and it took some last- ditch defending from Maxwell Acosty to prevent the Scots from taking the lead. Niall McGinn swung in a lovely free-kick towards Sam Cosgrove and he rose above his man to tee up Lewis Ferguson, who would have surely converted had the Ghanaian not stretched to intercept and clear.

On the half-hour mark, the hosts should have taken the lead. It was another well-worked corner from Halilovic, who deliberately made poor contact with the ball to send it bouncing into the box. All the Rijeka players pulled away from the cross and Ivan Lepinjica was unmarked on the penalty spot. His shot was saved well by Joe Lewis, but the rebound fell to Dario Zuparic, who struck wide of the open goal from a handful of yards.

In the second half it was a lack of concentration by Shay Logan that let Aberdeen down. He hauled down Luka Capan as he burst into the box and Spanish referee, Ricardo De Burgos was pointed to the spot. Lewis dived to his left but Colak made no mistake, shooting down the middle.

A moment of individual brilliance in the final moments sealed the win for the hosts. On as a substitute, Robert Muric created a few yards of space on the edge of the area, and curled a lovely shot into the bottom corner, out of Lewis’ reach.

Rijeka manager Igor Biscan said: “I have to congratulate the players, they played a good match. They were brave when they needed to be brave. It’s just half time of the tie and I think it will be tougher when we go to Aberdeen. I think they are a good team and if they didn’t play well that was because my team played well.”