Scotland: Aberdeen keep up impressive form
Aberdeen 2 - 1 Rangers
Jimmy Thelin's unbeaten Aberdeen made their biggest statement yet, ramping up the pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement with a thrilling Scottish Premiership victory.
The pre-match show at Pittodrie set an electric tone, and the away side struggled to keep up in a sobering first half. Nicky Devlin, having a dream season, fired the intense hosts into an early lead, leaving Rangers overwhelmed.
Aberdeen could easily have led by three at the break, as Graeme Shinnie hit the woodwork and Jamie McGrath saw his weak penalty saved by Jack Butland. Yet, it felt as though Aberdeen might rue those missed chances, especially when Rangers had a Ross McCausland goal ruled out for a marginal offside, before clawing their way back to level through Nedim Bajrami’s impressive solo effort.
But Aberdeen, spurred on by a passionate home crowd, retook the lead when substitute Shayden Morris smashed home on the rebound, lifting Thelin's side nine points clear of Clement's after just 10 games.
The Ibrox side now face the same nine-point gap from city rivals Celtic, who remain level with Aberdeen at the top.
Despite a remarkable start to the season, Thelin was reserved when asked if his team were now title contenders. Yet the post-match celebrations at Pittodrie said everything about how important this win was for Aberdeen.
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There had been whispers that their early-season fixtures had been on the kinder side and that they hadn’t truly been tested. Sure, those League Cup games against lower-league teams helped build momentum, but after taking four points from Celtic and Rangers, there’s no longer any doubt that this is a formidable side with a strong manager.
Their stunning first-half performance was full of drive and intensity, showing Thelin’s side’s identity – something Rangers, under Clement, are still searching for.
The only thing missing was a second goal, which should have come from McGrath's penalty after VAR confirmed John Souttar’s handball from Topi Keskinen's shot.
Thelin's men understandably tired in the second half, and they had to weather the storm as Rangers pushed to equalise. But this team has shown resilience time and again, responding to challenges and digging deep to secure yet another impressive victory.
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There was a fantastic atmosphere before the match
Feels like a proper old school Pittodrie midweek night under the lights. Here's hoping Aberdeen v Rangers lives up to its substantial billing pic.twitter.com/hmz4qCD3QM
— Mark Palmer (@MarkPalmerST) October 30, 2024
The Rangers view. Fans are demanding change.
From talking to fans in and around Glasgow, everyone knows this isn't good enough. We are nine points behind Celtic and Aberdeen before the start of November. The players aren't good enough. The manager isn't good enough. The board and executives overseeing all of this shambles aren't good enough. It's time for change. Now or it will be too late to save this season. Shambles.
