Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DON AND DUSTED
Aberdeen confirm second place with big win at Ibrox
DEREK MCINNES’ Aberdeen rubbed salt into Rangers’ wounds as a 2-1 win saw them triumph at Ibrox for the first time in quarter of a century.
A day after the Dons boss told Gers they should be “embarrassed” at only finishing third, his side gave another stark illustration of the improvements the Light Blues have yet to make.
The Pittodrie side were sharper all over the pitch and claimed their victory with goals from Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie.
Martyn Waghorn pulled a goal back for Gers but there was no sign of the Reds decline predicted by Ibrox manager Pedro Caixinha earlier this week, even when they had substitute Jayden Stockley sent-off late on.
While the Dons were at full strength, bar injured skipper Ryan Jack - again linked with a move to Ibrox this week - and suspended winger Jonny Hayes, fitness issues forced Caixinha to turn to the Gers youth ranks once more.
The Ibrox boss handed 18-yearold defender Aidan Wilson his debut as injury denied Clint Hill an Ibrox farewell.
The combined age of his centre-back partnership with David Bates was 38 – the same as the departing Hill.
Aberdeen were keen to get at the young pair and it took just nine minutes for them to draw first blood.
Their high press forced Jon Toral to pass back to keeper Wes Foderingham but his mishit clearance put James Tavernier in trouble on the touchline. Shinnie was quickly onto the loose ball, bursting into the box before slotting home.
The hosts should have levelled when Kenny Miller’s tenacity opened up the Pittodrie side, but Joe Garner failed to hit the target.
However, the Gers always looked nervy with their inexperienced duo at the back.
Wilson found himself exposed when Andy Considine climbed above to head down for Ash Taylor but Foderingham made a fine block. His diving stop then kept out Niall Mcginn’s free-kick late in the half. Bates again had his keeper to thank 90 seconds into the second period when he was robbed by Mclean, with Foderingham first stopping Mcginn before denying Adam Rooney.
But there was nothing the Englishman could do as Christie added a second on 52 minutes.
Mcginn skipped past Tavernier out wide before hanging a cross up to the back post, where Rooney nodded back across for the on-loan Celtic playmaker to finish off with his head from close-range.
Gers substitute Waghorn was prevented from notching a quickfire response by Considine’s lastditch block. But he did raise the noise levels on 61 minutes as he raced onto Josh Windass’ through pass before lifting the ball over Lewis into the net.
Mcinnes and Caixinha were then seen exchanging verbals as Rangers claimed in vain for a penalty when Barrie Mckay tumbled at Shay Logan’s feet.
The Dons had to play out the final 90 seconds a man light after Stockley picked up two quick bookings but they held on for their long-awaited win.