3 years ago
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Scott Arfield scored in the 95th and 97th minutes to snatch victory for RangersScott Arfield's astonishing stoppage-time brace snatched Rangers a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory over Aberdeen and prevented their fragile title hopes from splintering further.
Stunning goals from Duk and Leighton Clarkson had hauled Aberdeen into the lead as the game crept into seven added minutes, with Fashion Sakala having earlier put Rangers in front.
But Arfield followed in when goalkeeper Kelle Roos spilled Ryan Kent's shot, and then capitalised on a defensive error to bundle in a frantic winner.
It puts Rangers six points behind Celtic - who play Livingston on Wednesday - when it looked likely they would at least be eight points behind having played a game more.
And it gives new manager Michael Beale a huge boost, having secured two 3-2 comeback wins in his first two games in charge.
Aberdeen stay third, but were left absolutely devastated, with manager Jim Goodwin crouching on the floor in disbelief at full-time at how his side had managed to throw away what looked like being a first win in 13 attempts against Rangers.
The Pittodrie side copped a lot of criticism for their defensive approach on Saturday against Celtic, when they eventually succumbed to a late goal, but after a sluggish first 20 minutes they came to life and took control.
Duk's unorthodox free kick wrong-footed Allan McGregor and brought them level just before half-time, which was no less than they deserved in a feisty and full-blooded contest with nine yellow cards.
And Goodwin's side came out after the restart with the momentum behind them, taking the lead when Liverpool loanee Clarkson swept the dropping ball into the corner to add to his growing highlights reel.
But Beale made four changes - including bringing on Arfield - and Rangers grew back into the game as Aberdeen dropped deeper with something to cling on to.
They were five minutes from getting a resullt but goalkeeper Kelle Roos spilled Kent's 20-yard shot and Arfield reacted quickest to tap home, and the midfielder was lurking again when Anthony Stewart and Jayden Richardson failed to deal with Malik Tillman's cross, thumping his shot into the ground and over Roos.
Beale spoke of a big 'mentality week' for Rangers, and his team ultimately responded. But Aberdeen's mentality to throw away such a promising position they had worked so hard to build will be questioned.
More to follow.
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Aberdeen
Squad number24Player nameRoos
Squad number2Player nameMcCrorie
Squad number5Player nameStewart
Squad number4Player nameScales
Squad number25Player nameRichardson
Squad number8Player nameBarron
Squad number16Player nameRamadani
Squad number20Player nameClarkson
Squad number22Player nameCoulson
Squad number9Player nameMiovski
Squad number11Player nameDuk
Squad number3Player nameMacKenzie
Squad number7Player nameMorris
Squad number15Player nameWatkins
Squad number17Player nameHayes
Rangers
Squad number1Player nameMcGregor
Squad number2Player nameTavernier
Squad number6Player nameGoldson
Squad number19Player nameSands
Squad number44Player nameDevine
Squad number18Player nameKamara
Squad number8Player nameJack
Squad number30Player nameSakala
Squad number71Player nameTillman
Squad number14Player nameKent
Squad number20Player nameMorelos
Squad number4Player nameLundstram
Squad number23Player nameWright
Squad number26Player nameDavies
Squad number37Player nameArfield
Line-ups
Aberdeen
Formation 3-5-2
- 24Roos
- 2McCrorie
- 5Stewart
- 4ScalesBooked at 24mins
- 25RichardsonBooked at 71mins
- 8BarronBooked at 35mins
- 16RamadaniBooked at 21mins
- 20ClarksonSubstituted forMorrisat 65'minutes
- 22CoulsonSubstituted forMacKenzieat 81'minutes
- 9MiovskiSubstituted forWatkinsat 65'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 11de Barros LopesSubstituted forHayesat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lewis
- 3MacKenzie
- 7Morris
- 10Besuijen
- 15Watkins
- 17Hayes
- 23Duncan
- 28Milne
- 99Ramírez
Rangers
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1McGregor
- 2Tavernier
- 6Goldson
- 19SandsBooked at 42minsSubstituted forArfieldat 58'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 44Devine
- 18KamaraSubstituted forDaviesat 58'minutes
- 8JackBooked at 21minsSubstituted forLundstramat 58'minutesBooked at 71mins
- 30SakalaSubstituted forWrightat 58'minutes
- 71Tillman
- 14Kent
- 20MorelosBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 4Lundstram
- 17Matondo
- 23Wright
- 26Davies
- 29McCann
- 33McLaughlin
- 37Arfield
- 38King
- 51Lowry
Referee:William Collum
Attendance:18,025
Live Text
Match ends, Aberdeen 2, Rangers 3.
Second Half ends, Aberdeen 2, Rangers 3.
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal! Aberdeen 2, Rangers 3. Scott Arfield (Rangers) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Connor Goldson.
Attempt missed. Ylber Ramadani (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left following a set piece situation.
Foul by Scott Arfield (Rangers).
Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal! Aberdeen 2, Rangers 2. Scott Arfield (Rangers) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
Attempt saved. Ryan Kent (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Connor Goldson.
Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Marley Watkins (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
Offside, Aberdeen. Jonny Hayes tries a through ball, but Marley Watkins is caught offside.
Scott Arfield (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Scott Arfield (Rangers).
Ylber Ramadani (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. John Lundstram (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Connor Goldson.
Foul by Malik Tillman (Rangers).
Marley Watkins (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Scott Wright (Rangers).
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