Rangers 2-2 Aberdeen: Home comeback denies Dons amid emotional Walter Smith tributes

Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier both scored for Rangers

Premiership leaders Rangers came from two goals behind to secure a draw with Aberdeen in the emotionally-charged aftermath of Walter Smith's death.

But headed goals from Christian Ramirez and Scott Brown gave injury-hit Aberdeen an early lead.

An Alfredo Morelos header reduced the arrears before the break and James Tavernier's penalty rescued a point.

It ensured Rangers are now unbeaten in nine meetings between the sides but have had their lead at the top of the table reduced to two points, with city rivals Celtic now their nearest challengers.

• Reaction & as it happened

A steady stream of wreaths, scarves and jerseys had built up into a mountain of tributes outside the gates of Smith's beloved Ibrox since Rangers announced the sad news little more than 24 hours earlier.

The quiet contemplation, tears and grief of those emotions spilled over into tumultuous welcome for their present day favourites as they unfurled flags and banners lauding their deceased hero ahead of kick-off before descending again into a respectful hush for the minute's silence.

The immediacy of the loss led Gerrard to leave goalkeeper Allan McGregor and midfielder Steven Davis on the bench, with the veteran duo having played under the former manager.

Those that did start looked fired up by the occasion and Calvin Bassey immediately weaved his way into the penalty box before forcing goalkeeper Joe Lewis to beat away his shot at the near post.

However, the Dons made them pay for a lapse of concentration at the back and unmarked striker Ramirez headed in Ryan Hedges' cross at the back post.

Rangers threatened an immediate reply against a makeshift Dons defence with Brown at its heart, but it was the former Celtic captain who struck next, evading marker James Tavernier to send a diving header home from a corner.

This time, Rangers' response did produce a goal, captain Tavernier making up for his defensive lapse by sending in a curling free-kick that found the forehead of striker Morelos.

The second half was almost totally dominated by the home side, but they were looking increasingly frustrated until former Ibrox centre-half David Bates was adjudged to have nudged into the back of substitute Fashion Sakala and right-back Tavernier was his usually accurate self from the spot.

Rangers fans had unfurled a flag declaring "for deeds done and glories won, thank you", but even their late managerial great would have been satisfied to escape with a point in such testing circumstances.

Man of the match - Scott Brown (Aberdeen)

Aberdeen captain Scott Brown (centre) not only scored but was a rock at the heart of the defence after being moved back from midfield

What did we learn?

It is difficult to make judgements given this was a one-off occasion, but Rangers continue to look more vulnerable than they were in striding imperiously to the title last season.

They avoided their first home league defeat since March 2020, a still impressive 25-game run, but after a sequence of 21 wins, they have shed points in three of their last four Premiership outings at Ibrox and must now be looking worryingly over their shoulder at improving Celtic.

In contrast, Aberdeen appear to have turned their fortunes, building on last weekend's first victory in 12 games with a draw that again showed the battling qualities exemplified by captain Brown.

They even managed - twice - to do what they had failed to do on five previous visits and find the net at Ibrox.

What's next?

Aberdeen host Hearts on Saturday (15:00 BST) before Rangers visit Motherwell on Sunday (12:00).