Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven struck a defiant but realistic tone after his first match back in temporary charge ended in a 2–0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, insisting there were positives to take despite another frustrating night for the Dons.
Leven, a former Rangers youth player, was handed a daunting assignment just days into the role, facing Danny Röhl’s in-form side away from home.
While the scoreline ultimately reflected Rangers’ control and efficiency, the interim boss felt his team showed encouraging signs in spells.
“I’ve seen a team that were hungry and were together and created lots of chances,” Leven said in his post-match interview with Aberdeen club media.
“But I’m really disappointed in the goals that we’ve lost.”
That disappointment centred largely on set-pieces, with Rangers once again capitalising from corners – an area Leven acknowledged his side must address quickly.
“The pressing was really good,” he added.
“But as I said to the team in there, there’s signs that I wanted to see – it’s just again, it’s the old ‘we did well but it’s not good enough’.”
From a Rangers perspective, that assessment aligned closely with how the match unfolded: Aberdeen worked hard, pressed with intent and had moments where they threatened, but lacked the composure and ruthlessness that Rangers now seem to possess in key moments.
Leven pointed to two early opportunities as a snapshot of his side’s night.
“That was early on in the game plan, with Kevin [Nisbet] coming in a little bit shorter and Kenan [Bilalović] in behind, and it worked to a treat,” he explained.
“Obviously he just took a heavy touch. He’s a young kid, but I thought he ran his socks off.”
Despite the missed chances, Leven remained supportive of his players.
“He’s enthusiastic, he’s a great finisher,” he said. “He’ll get more of them.”
Asked how Aberdeen can turn encouraging passages into points, Leven was clear that time on the training pitch will be crucial – something he has barely had since stepping into the role.
“I only had one day on Monday and it was indoor,” he said due to the snowy conditions in the Granite City that threatened to disrupt their travel down to Ibrox.
“I need to sit down with them; show them the good things I’ve seen today and show them things we can get better at.”
He also hinted that there is more football in this Aberdeen side than they showed at Ibrox.
“I still think we can play a little bit more, because when we do play, we’re a good team,” Leven added.
Attention now turns immediately to Sunday’s return fixture at Pittodrie, with Rangers and Aberdeen set to meet again – this time in front of the Red Army.
“They’ve got to come up to us now,” Leven said.
“That’s our home patch, our fans over there, and we’ll be right up for it.”
On the goals conceded, including a costly error for the opener, Leven took a measured view.
“We’ll sit down and talk about things, how we get better and what we need to improve on,” he said.
“Obviously Rangers are dangerous from set-plays – it’s something we need to look at.”
Despite the result, Leven admitted there were personal positives from the night.
“It was good being back in the dugout as the main man – I enjoyed it,” he said.
“And I just want to say thank you to the fans. They were amazing right to the end.”