Aberdeen stun Rangers to move Celtic closer to title

Liam Scales’ incredible opener set Aberdeen on course to a shock victory over Rangers and gave his parent club Celtic the chance to seal the Scottish Premiership title in their first post-split game.

Bojan Miovski soon headed in the hosts’ second – awarded after a VAR offside check – to give interim manager Barry Robson a seventh consecutive win and a five-point cushion in third place.

Rangers could not mount a comeback similar to their 3-2 Pittodrie win in December and they stay 13 points behind Celtic, who can retain the league by winning their first game after the Scottish Premiership split early next month.

Although the second half would belong to Aberdeen, Rangers had ample opportunity to gain a foothold in the first.

Alfredo Morelos’ volley on the turn was superbly cleared off the line by the head of Leighton Clarkson, with John Lundstram thrashing over in the aftermath.

Malik Tillman then sent Fashion Sakala racing beyond Mattie Pollock and Aberdeen goalkeeper Kelle Roos was quick off his line to make a fine save, although the striker should have done better.

Borna Barisic’s effort from the left hit the outside of Roos’ near post and Pollock slid in to block Nicolas Raskin’s effort after further Rangers probing.

Aberdeen had been timid but Ben Davies’ mistake gave Ylber Ramadani a run and shot at goal, which McGregor saved, and a loose pass by James Tavernier ended with Ryan Duncan sweeping wide.

And the hosts found themselves in front after the break when Scales intercepted a pass towards Morelos and crossed from a deep position on the left, the ball deceiving everyone as it flew into the net.

Robson’s side were buoyant and they had the ball in the net again when Clarkson’s superb cross was headed past McGregor by the diving Miovski. VAR checked for offside but the goal stood.

An early penalty appeal following Rangers defender John Souttar’s challenge on Luis Lopes had been waved away by Nick Walsh and the official was unmoved again when Jonny Hayes went down under pressure from Lundstram.

Rangers have been used to being behind in games this season and recovering to win – including at Pittodrie in December with efforts in the 95th and 97th minutes – but the two goals left them deflated and short of ideas.

James Tavernier did force a save from Roos with a close-range volley and Raskin’s replacement Rabbi Matondo should have netted when sent through by Tillman, his effort grazing a post.

But Aberdeen were good value for their win and will be hard to stop as they press for the coveted third place.

Player of the match – Leighton Clarkson

Aberdeen seize their moment – analysis

Aberdeen, as one of the form teams in the division, may have been expected to offer more in attack in the early part of the match but it became apparent their best route to goal was trying to force defensive mistakes.

Alhough likely unintentional, the Scales goal came from slackness by Morelos, while Rangers’ marking at the Miovski goal was poor.

The main ingredient missing from Rangers’ work was decision making in the final third. Approach play by Tillman and Raskin got the visitors into good areas but too often the wrong choice of shot or pass made Aberdeen’s task easier.

The Premiership title has long been a faint hope for Rangers, given Celtic’s largely flawless campaign, but a fourth league defeat of the season does little for the Ibrox side’s confidence before next Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with the league leaders.

What the managers said

Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson: “The boys were terrific, they gave us everything we asked. It was a real difficult game. Once we got the press right, we stuck with it and were brave and we kept going after them and it paid dividends in the end. Second half, we were really, really good.

“Liam Scales was outstanding. He was aggressive. He deserved a bit of luck there. I’ve never got carried away once and I still don’t. It’s the best I’ve heard Pittodrie in a long time and it was really pleasing to get the three points. We’ve still got things that we want to achieve for this season, we’ve not achieved it yet.”

What’s next?

Rangers face Celtic in next Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-finals, and both the Ibrox club and Aberdeen begin their Premiership post-split fixtures over the first week in May.