Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
GMS: Dons can’t dwell on defeat
GARY Mackay-Steven has told Aberdeen to shake off the disappointment of defeat to Rangers and focus on getting themselves back into the title race.
The Dons saw their six-game unbeaten streak come to a halt as they slumped to a drama-filled 4-2 loss.
Gers ace Alfredo Morelos struck twice at Pittodrie before both he and Reds defender Scott McKenna were sent-off following a second-half flashpoint.
Light Blues skipper James Tavernier also tucked home a penalty before Jermain Defoe’s stoppage-time clincher ensured a Sam Cosgrove double for t he hosts counted for nothing.
The loss – Aberdeen’s first to Steven Gerrard’s side in four meetings this season – means they now trail Rangers by five points and Premiership leaders Celtic by 11.
H o w e v e r, w i n g e r Mackay-Steven is keen to ensure Wednesday night’s defeat does not spiral into a damaging run that would end their hopes of taking the league crown north.
He said: “The feeling in the dressing-room is just one of frustration and disappointment. We gave o u r s e lv e s too big a mountain to climb in the second half.
“I thought the performance, second half especially, was good but for us not to come away with anything i s a big disappointment all round and we’re not happy.
“It’s not nice but we’ll dust ourselves down and look at the positives. We can’t dwell on this result.”