Game of two halves

Aberdeen went to Ibrox looking for their first win there since 1991, not many people gave them a chance to end that run.

When I saw the first 5 or 10 minutes of the game I knew we were in trouble. We were giving Rangers too much space and just letting them run at us. Basically the same tactics we employed at Parkhead seven days ago.
We hardly got a touch of the ball  and when we did it was a big hoof up the park looking for our loan striker Scott Vernon.
It was no surprise to be 2-0 down at half time and it could have been worse but for some bad finishing from the Rangers forwards and a couple of great save from Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield, which included a penalty save just before half time which may have turned the game around.
If that gone in I think we may have crumbled, Jamie's save gave us a little bit of hope going in at half time.

I saw the Red TV interview with Jamie in midweek and he was clearly hurt after losing 9 goals last weekend. He looked determined not to lose a barrel load again this week.
In a week where the Aberdeen players have been told up to stand and fight for manager Mark Mcghee, Jamie did just that and for that he deserves the Don of the match.

I said on Facebook at half time Mcghee had to change things, I would rather lose 5-0 getting hit on the break trying to score goals than lose 5-0 or worse by just sitting back and letting Rangers run at us like we had in the first half.

Mcghee must have read my comment because Aberdeen pressured the Rangers players and tried to create some chances of their own.
We did not really trouble the Rangers goalkeeper but while we were up the other end fighting to win the ball it took the pressure off our defence.

Rangers did have some chances in the second half but more good saves from Langfield and bad finishing kept the score at 2-0.

So on the whole I was much happier with the performance in the second half but we still looked short of confidence.
Having been brought up in he Fergie era, I have always thought attack was the best form of defence, you never saw Aberdeen play the old firm in those days sitting back.
The change in that attitude is one of the reasons we have not won at Ibrox for 19 years.

With Saint Johnstone up next at Pittodrie on Saturday Aberdeen need to take something from the game today and continue to build from it.
Pressure the saints show some fight and we will get the win. We showed that in Perth at the beginning of the season.


Stand Free