- By Nick McPheat
- BBC Scotland
James Tavernier’s late penalty rescued a degree for Rangers at Aberdeen
For most different groups, in most different leagues, the overriding emotion of scoring an added-time equaliser could be one in all aid.
Not for Rangers, when the margins are already extremely slim in relation to chasing down Celtic on the prime of the Scottish Premiership.
“Totally not relieved,” Ibrox supervisor Philippe Clement advised BBC Scotland within the speedy aftermath of his aspect’s last-gasp draw at Aberdeen, who’ve now taken 4 factors from the Govan membership in two conferences this time period.
Bojan Miovski’s eleventh objective of the season seemed set to offer the Pittodrie males successive victories over their guests, which might have resulted in Celtic ending the weekend a degree additional clear on the prime regardless of their late draw at home to Motherwell.
Brendan Rodgers stated that end result felt “like a defeat”. No greater than 24 hours later, there was the same tune coming from his Old Firm counterpart within the Granite City.
“We’re extra disillusioned [than relieved] that we did not get three deserved factors,” stated Clement, whose aspect at the moment are eight factors off prime spot with a sport to spare on leaders Celtic.
But with a Viaplay Cup ultimate in opposition to Aberdeen on the horizon, a Europa League group to navigate by way of, and nonetheless greater than half the league season remaining, the Rangers supervisor is “completely not busy” with the deficit his aspect has to claw again.
Despite his gamers exhibiting a “superb” response, Clement’s speedy issues can be with how simply his defence was minimize open within the first half and his attack’s profligacy all through.
“I wasn’t pleased with the primary 10-Quarter-hour,” he added. “We weren’t sharp sufficient within the duels and we all know how hectic it may be right here, however we took complete domination of the sport and we had by far the higher possibilities.
“Everybody pushed till the final second to get this deserved level, and even the three factors, and that is the mentality I need to see. I do know from expertise that the season is a marathon.”
The late rescue act preserved Clement’s undefeated begin as Rangers boss – his document now stands at six wins and two attracts.
Former Ibrox striker Billy Dodds advised BBC Sportsound: “That was in all probability one in all their poorest performances beneath Clement, however he can be happy that they stored going at it once they have been 1-0 down.
“It’s a optimistic Clement can grip on to and there’s something building at Rangers. They are digging in when they should.”
Aberdeen left ‘gutted’ after late drama
While Clement left Pittodrie a annoyed determine, Barry Robson was completely “gutted”.
But for a daft and unnecessary – albeit slight – tug from Stefan Gartenmann on Connor Goldson, which gave away the added-time penalty, Robson would have develop into the primary Aberdeen supervisor in 30 years to win back-to-back league video games in opposition to Rangers.
The Dons boss questioned the choice to ship referee Nick Walsh to the monitor, including that the away aspect had been “intelligent” in successful the spot-kick.
“Dante Polvara’s been blocked,” Robson advised BBC Scotland. “They are telling us blocking is a foul as nicely. You have to verify every thing. It’s a tiny little tug, however that is the best way we’re going with soccer – it isn’t good.”
Despite the late blow, the Aberdeen supervisor hailed how his aspect “pressed, counter pressed and transitioned” in a wonderful first-half show, however he conceded his staff “could not play at that tempo for 90 minutes” as they soaked up stress after the break.
In 4 video games in opposition to Rangers as a supervisor, Robson now has two wins, a draw and a defeat – a document that may solely instil additional perception within the Pittodrie membership once they face Sunday’s opponent’s in subsequent month’s ultimate at Hampden.
“Aberdeen will take the method from this [for the final] – and specifically the best way they performed within the first half,” former Dons captain Willie Miller stated on Sportsound.
“But what they want for the ultimate is that kind of efficiency for an extended time period. They’ve received an opportunity and have a goalscorer in Miovski who takes his possibilities.”
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