McInnes applauded his players for securing European football before the Scottish Premiership split after a 1-0 win over Dundee United saw the Dons move five points behind leaders Celtic.
Adam Rooney grabbed his 27th goal of the season from close range in the 39th minute after Mark Reynolds had forced a save from a deep free-kick by Barry Robson, who was sent off in the 72nd minute.
The win kept alive Aberdeen's slim title hopes, but McInnes has publicly written them off and called for his side's concrete achievement to be recognised.
"I don't think that should be underplayed," he said. "I know it has been on the cards for a few weeks, but it's great work for the players that we can secure European football at this stage of the season, with five games to go.
"That result goes a long way to securing second spot as well, but we would never take that for granted.
"We lost on the opening day of the season here against Dundee United and, if you had said to me that day we would be 22 points clear of them, I would have grabbed it, and that shows how good the players have been."
Source: Sky Sports
Image: Aberdeen FC YouTube channel