Coulson questions time added on but admits his side must see out games
ABERDEEN’S Hayden Coulson has questioned the seven minutes of stoppage time that platformed Rangers’ dramatic comeback victory at Pittodrie.
Substitute Scott Arfield struck in the 95th and 97th minutes to deny the devastated Dons a first home win over the Ibrox side since 2017.
Jim Goodwin’s team appeared on course for a significant three points after goals from Duk and Leighton Clarkson overturned Fashion Sakala’s early opener on a night of high drama in the Scottish Premiership.
But Aberdeen were unable to cling on to their advantage as Arfield twice swooped in to complete Rangers’ unlikeliest of escapes for a result Coulson believes was extremely harsh on the hosts.
“I think we definitely did not deserve to lose,” the defender said. “I think we have to deal with seeing the game out a lot better. I think there were four minutes left. We have to do better at the end.
“It was not the best way to obviously end it. It was a crazy game. But I think it is a bit early to have a look on what went wrong, what we did well, and stuff like that. But it was a game to watch, definitely.
“I was off the pitch at the time, but I thought seven minutes was a lengthy time. Obviously, that is their job, not mine. We just have to get on with it.”
On- loan Middlesbrough left- back Coulson confessed to a grim dressing room atmosphere in the immediate aftermath, but maintained there were positives to take, especially after Aberdeen were pilloried for an ultranegative weekend display against Celtic, one that also ended in late heartbreak.
“There was not much said after the game, to be honest,” he said. “I think everyone is very down and it is still a bit too early to say anything on the performance. I think we will analyse it on Thursday and go from there.
“Definitely, there were positives. We were 2- 1 up at the end of the day, there
was stuff we could do better, there were chances we could have created but it is just one of them, at the end of the day we need to come away with at least something from the game.
“You need to face the opposition on the day. Every team is set up differently. Today was a sore one in the end, we did well throughout the game. It just wasn’t ideal at the end.
“We thought we would see it out. We had no reason not to think that. We did drop a bit deeper than we would have liked. But I think we have to see that extra time out.
“I have never been involved in such a drastic turnaround as that, especially in the short amount of time that it was. That’s a first for me.”
Goodwin’s players face a different, but still stern, test on Christmas Eve as they journey to Paisley to face St Mirren. But peer just a few weeks down the line and they will meet Rangers again, this time at Hampden in the Viaplay Cup semi- final.
And Coulson believes that Tuesday’s positive performance against Michael Beale’s side should instil confidence in the Aberdeen ranks that they can spring an upset at the national stadium on January 15.
He added: “It gives us a boost, especially as there is a cup semi- final coming up. It gives us bit more of an incentive to have a go now and know how to play against them. It will be a good game again, I am sure.”