Mark McGhee insists Aberdeen are in better shape to take on Celtic than they were last week, despite their 8-1 humiliation at the hands of Sigma Olomouc.

The Dons crashed to their heaviest ever aggregate defeat in Europe last night after losing the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie 3-0.

For the second time in a week, McGhee's men were made to pay for inept defending, with goalkeeper Jamie Langfield all that stood between the home side and double figures.

Aberdeen fans will now be looking to next Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener against Celtic with a real sense of trepidation, but McGhee said: ``We are much more ready for the Celtic game then before the last two matches.''

He added: ``I think I could have seen progress in these two games.

``We can learn from the service they got to their strikers and we can try to play the same way as they played.

``The pleasing thing was that, even when it was 3-0, the team stuck together. We are going to put it behind us and use it as a learning process.''

Yesterday evening's goals came before half-time, with Tomas Janotka, a Marek Kascak penalty and Michal Hubnik all finding the net, while Langfield also saved a penalty.

The result compounded the misery of the travelling supporters following reports of skirmishes involving rival fans in Olomouc.

``It was another difficult night for us but we were beaten by a very good team and we wish them well,'' said McGhee after his second competitive game in charge.

``It was an unfortunate first 15 minutes. We conceded clumsy goals.''

Sigma boss Zdenek Psotka was delighted with his side's attitude to the game following last week's 5-1 success at Pittodrie.

``I am very happy and satisfied,'' he said. ``We are glad we won at home as well and that we pleased our supporters.

``I would like to thank them, because they made a really good atmosphere. I wish it would be the same during every match.

``We did not expect we win so easily. At the beginning, both teams had chances, but only we scored. It was very open and attacking football today.

``Aberdeen wanted to score until the very end of the game.

``Therefore, there was space for us to make quick strikes on the open defence. I do not think the difference between us and Aberdeen was as big as the score.''