Aberdeen 2-0 Rangers: Liam Scales’ stunning long-range goal inspires Dons to SEVENTH straight win
Aberdeen 2-0 Rangers: Liam Scales stunning long shot inspires The Dons to SEVENTH straight win as Micheal Beale’s side hit the woodwork TWICE but failed to close the gap on Celtic
- Aberdeen beat Rangers 2-0 at Pittodrie in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday
- Liam Scales scored a superb long-range goal to open the scoring after the break
- Bojan Miovski followed up with a header to keep Aberdeen third in the league
Liam Scales’ stunning long-range goal propelled Aberdeen to a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Rangers at Pittodrie on Sunday to extend their winning streak to seven games on the bounce.
Aberdeen came out in the second half of the game, after being dominated by Micheal Beale’s side for much of the first 45 minutes, to stun their guests with two goals within 17 minutes, with Bojan Miovski doubling their lead less than ten minutes after that. Scales got the opener.
The Dons have now not conceded a goal in their last four league matches and this victory will cement their third-place position in the league, giving them a five-point lead over Hearts, one place below them.
However, it was a disappointing day for Rangers, who will regret their missed opportunities in the first half as Beale’s side failed to convert several clear chances within the first 20 minutes.
Alfredo Morelos’ thumping blow was deflected wide by Leighton Clarkson’s head before Fashion Sakala ran away from Mattie Pollock to go one on one with Kelle Roos in goal, but his shot drilled straight into the advancing stopper.
Liam Scales (second from left) scored a stunning goal in Aberdeen’s 2-0 win against Rangers
The Gers were dominant in the first half but failed to convert their chances against Aberdeen
Fashion Sakala came close in the opening stages of the match, but was unable to capitalize on his chance
They had another chance to continue soon after, but again failed to capitalize, Borna Barisic receives a pass from Malik Tillman in the penalty area before a close range shot clatters into the left post.
It was a dominant opening 45 from the Gers, who despite failing to capitalize on their chances, led Aberdeen at half-time with 363 passes to the home side’s meager 92.
But in the end it was the home team who would take the spoils.
Barry Robson must have made a rousing team talk at half time as his side got off to a whirlwind start in the second term, scoring two goals within 15 minutes.
Celtic mercenary Scales scored the first, in unusual circumstances, collecting the ball on the left wing, before hitting what initially appeared to be a long cross into the penalty area, only to catch Allan McGregor off guard and float past the keeper into the top corner. from the net.
Michael Beale’s side will face Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup Old Firm next week
It was a stunning effort, moving Aberdeen higher up the pitch and soon after they struck again, with Miovski throwing himself onto the end of a Clarkson looping cross and nodding home to extend Dons’ lead to two, even after a VAR check for offside.
Called into action again, Roos was given a strong hand to deflect a close-range attempt from James Tavernier before Rabbi Matondo hit the woodwork, again spelling out what was a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
The result means Rangers have failed to reduce the gap between them and Celtic, who sit at the top of the Scottish Premiership, to 10 points.
They remain second on 79 points, but will take on their rivals in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup next week at Hampden Park.
Full report to follow…