The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Aberdeen’s Bruce Anderson celebrates after scoring the injury-time goal that denied Steven Gerrard a winning start to his Premiership career with Rangers. The game at Pittodrie finished 1-1.
ABERDEEN 1 RANGERS 1
Aberdeen youngster Bruce Anderson denied Steven Gerrard and 10-man Rangers a winning start in the Ladbrokes Premiership as his injury-time equaliser snatched a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.
The new Ibrox boss looked set for an impressive domestic bow as his team recovered from having Alfredo Morelos sent off early on to take the lead through a James Tavernier penalty.
But just as they looked set for the points, 19-year-old substitute Anderson struck in the 93rd minute to leave Gerrard deflated.
Both sets of supporters joined together for a minute’s applause in memory of the late Neale Cooper before kick-off.
But the niceties ended there as the spite and bite this fixture is known for emerged once more.
It was not long before the first big flashpoint as Morelos got his marching orders on 12 minutes.
Referee Kevin Clancy missed the Colombian bumping into Scott McKenna, and then flicking out with a boot off the ball. Assistant David McGeachie got the message through and the red card was brandished.
Yet Aberdeen’s man advantage was not immediately evident as they repeatedly let the visitors off the hook with a series of sloppy decisions.
Rangers were first to every ball and grabbed the opener on the half-hour mark. Jon Flanagan’s burst into the box left the Aberdeen defence scrambling.
Scott Arfield’s shot was blocked but broke towards Josh Windass, who was pulled back by former Light Blues defender Dom Ball.
Clancy pointed to the spot but refused to impose any further punishment despite Windass’ protests for another red card.
Joe Lewis guessed correctly as Tavernier lined up his penalty but was beaten by the Gers skipper’s powerful strike.
There was a further blow for Dons boss Derek McInnes as McKenna limped off in the wake of the opener to be replaced by Chris Forrester.
His side did at last force Allan McGregor into action just before the break as he darted from his line to tip away Niall McGinn’s cross.
Aberdeen came out with more intent at the start of the second half but Rangers created the first opening, with Windass heading over a Lassana Coulibaly centre.
The visitors made sure to take their time over every stoppage in play to waste as many seconds as they could.
Ryan Jack had strolled through his first appearance at Pittodrie since being sent off in December. His victim that day, Stevie May, got his revenge 10 minutes from time as he collided heavily with the Gers midfielder, forcing him off.
That left a look of concern on Gerrard’s face which grew deeper when six minutes of injury time were announced.
His fears proved well founded as Tavernier failed to cut out Andrew Considine’s knockdown, allowing Anderson to rifle the equaliser past McGregor.
Aberdeen: Lewis, Ball, Devlin, McKenna (Forrester 31), Considine, Gleeson (May 52), Shinnie, Ferguson, McGinn, Cosgrove (Anderson 71), MackaySteven; unused subs – Wright, Campbell, Harrington, Cerny.
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Katic, Goldson, Flanagan, Arfield, Jack (Ejaria 82), Coulibaly, Murphy (Kent 70), Windass, Morelos. Unused subs – Umar, Halliday, McCrorie, Candeias, Alnwick. Attendance: 19,046. Referee: Kevin Clancy.