Recap
The Dons will need to do it all over again at Ibrox after a fiery Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Pittodrie today (Sunday 3 March 2019).
Aberdeen made one change from the team that lost to Hamilton midweek. Gary Mackay-Steven was back in the starting lineup with Niall McGinn dropping to the bench.
Max Lowe was an added boost after shaking off the knee problem that made him come off against Hamilton.
It didn’t take long for the Dons to get on the scoreboard, after Mackay Steven was taken down by a Connor Goldson slide, that was to be costly later on. Kevin Clancy made no hesitation in awarding the penalty.
Sam Cosgrove stepped up to take the spot kick and fired the ball into the bottom right corner, Allan McGregor did get a touch but couldn’t prevent it from going into the back of the net.
Alfredo Morelos was at it again after he was booked for a blatant dive in the 15th minute. Gary Mackay-Steven had to go off following that challenge by Connor Goldson, with Niall McGinn coming on.
The Dons went close to going two up in the 32nd minute when Greg Stewart’s free kick found Scott McKenna at the back post and his header was tipped over by McGregor.
Into the second half, and the Dons seemed to have lost some of the confidence they had in the first half and The Rangers pounced after Stewart gave away a needless corner and from Kent’s inswinging shot, Worrall was completely free at the back post to hit it in from six yards.
Neither side were making a breakthrough, and Aberdeen had yet another chance to put them in the lead in the 76th minute, from a McGinn free-kick from the right, McKenna won the header, Ball hooked it across goal and Considine’s low strike was saved by the foot of McGregor.
Ultimately it wasn’t to be and the two teams will have to go at it again on Tuesday 12 March 2019 at Ibrox, kick-off 7.45pm.
Unfortunately, Sam Cosgrove will be suspended for the game.
Following the game, Derek McInnes told the club website: “We were bright with our work and had enough intensity and aggression that the game demanded.
“I thought we defended very well and showed good concentration against a team who have been free flowing and high scoring recently. We tried to get the balance right by nullifying that. They had a lot of possession, but it was all in their own half and that was down to a lot of good work from my players. We carried a real threat and broke really well, none more so than the penalty kick.
“You see why I was so keen to have Gary involved as he brings us that speed and decisiveness and penetration. We were good value for going one nil up and then McKenna hit the bar shortly after and we wanted that second goal. I thought we did enough and had enough chances to get the second goal in the second half.
“We contained a good Rangers team with good players for long periods. I’m disappointed with the goal we lost as Sam just gets blocked off by young Lewis as he goes to get the flight of the ball and for Worrall to put the ball in so low is disappointing for us.
“You know you’re not going to get it all your own way and I thought we responded well to that equaliser. We had good chances of our own to get the second so naturally we’re disappointed we’ve not won the game from a winning position, but I’m really pleased with the performance and effort from my team.”
