REALITY CZECH FOR OUR GAME

MITOV errors compound sorry end

- SCOTT BURNS

SIZZLING Sparta punished sorry Dons and ensured they Czech out of the Conference League without a win.

The hosts had already qualified for the knockout stages but needed a win to avoid the play-offs.

They got that thanks to goals from John Mercado, Lukas Haraslin and former Hearts loanee Garang Kuol.

The Scottish Cup winners finished second bottom of the Conference League with just two points.

The Dons didn't get any luck in their draw, with Strasbourg, Sparta, Shakhtar Donetsk, AEK Athens and AEK Larnaca all finishing in the top eight of the tournament.

Yet again, though, they played a part in their own downfall.

It is now about Jimmy Thelin trying to improve his squad and ensuring they get another crack at Europe next season.

The Aberdeen fans will have just been delighted to make do with the Prague Christmas market and the local Czech beer to drown their sorrows.

Lessons need to be learned and a bit of luck in the draw next time would help.

CLARKSON AND DORRINGTON IN FROM THE COLD

Thelin had promised to make changes before the game. Captain Graeme Shinnie had been a driving force in the win over Kilmarnock and was rewarded with a starting berth back in his old left-back position.