In a match that featured one penalty and one send off for each side, Rangers finally got their victory over Aberdeen on the road 4-2.
Rangers have been unsuccessful against Aberdeen this season, with a draw and a pair of losses against the Dons, one of those losses being in the Betfred Cup semi-final. Rangers have also severely struggled on the road all season long. As such this match seemed a difficult combination as Rangers faced two things that have given them trouble.
It was a wild match that wasn’t always pretty, but Rangers put away their trouble to get a big victory over Aberdeen.
Alfredo Morelos got the scoring started in the 20th minute. Liverpool Loanee Ryan Kent made a hard run to the right side of the box before firing a shot on goal, the shot was parried away by the keeper but found itself at Morelos’ feet. The Columbian quickly sent the ball back and into the net.
Shortly after, Aberdeen put the ball into the box and after some unpredictable bounces, the ball came to Sam Cosgrove who put in the equalizer in the 30th minute.
Rangers didn’t take long to take the lead back, however, as in the 38th minute Ryan Kent again broke down the Aberdeen defense with a run before finding Morelos with a pass. One getting the ball just inside the box Morelos knocked it into the net.
Just before half-time, off of a free kick into the box a hand-ball was called to give Rangers a penalty. James Tavernier stepped to the spot and rifled it to the right side of the net, beating the keeper despite guessing the right way. The Skipper’s goal put Rangers up 3-1 at the break.
Shortly into the second half Aberdeen struck back as they were awarded a penalty off of a corner kick which Cosgrove put into the net.
Shortly after Aberdeen’s goal things took a turn. After a foul and entanglement between Morelos and McKenna originally resulted in McKenna being sent off, the refferee decided to also send off Rangers Columbian striker to make it 10 on 10.
The rest of the match was nip and tuck with both sides creating looks before Jermaine Defoe sealed the game in stoppage time. Ater Rangers broke out into the attacking third, James Tavernier found Defoe who easily slotted the ball into the net against an apathetic Aberdeen defense.
A big win for Rangers that should put them firmly onto the right track. With some hopefully winnable games coming up Rangers have a great shot to get a streak going.