Aberdeen victory against Rangers

The Dons' first win at Ibrox this century seals a second place finish in the League

Published 18th May 2017
Last updated 18th May 2017

Derek McInnes' Aberdeen rubbed salt into Rangers' wounds as a 2-1 win saw them triumph at Ibrox for the first time in quarter of a century.

A day after the Dons boss told Gers they should be embarrassed'' at only finishing third, his side gave another stark illustration of the improvements the Light Blues have yet to make.

The Pittodrie side were sharper all over the pitch and claimed their first victory in Govan since September 1991 with goals from Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie.

Martyn Waghorn pulled a goal back for Gers but there was no sign of the Reds decline predicted by Ibrox manager Pedro Caixinha earlier this week, even when they had substitute Jayden Stockley sent-off late on.

While the Dons were at full strength bar injured skipper Ryan Jack - again linked with a move to Ibrox this week - and suspended winger Jonny Hayes, fitness issues forced Caixinha to turn to the Gers youth ranks once more.

The Ibrox boss handed 18-year-old defender Aidan Wilson his first team debut as injury denied Clint Hill his Ibrox farewell.

The combined age of his centre-back partnership with the equally fresh-faced David Bates was 38 - the same as the grizzled veteran Wilson was replacing.

Aberdeen were keen to get at the young pair and it took just nine minutes for them to draw first blood.

Their high press forced Jon Toral to pass back to keeper Wes Foderingham but his miss-hit clearance put James Tavernier in trouble on the touchline.

Shinnie was quickly onto the loose ball, bursting into the box before slotting home.

The hosts eventually found something of a rhythm and should have levelled when Kenny Miller's tenacity opened up the Pittodrie side, but Joe Garner failed to hit the target.

However, the Light Blues always looked nervy with their inexperienced duo at the back.

Wilson found himself exposed when Andy Considine climbed above to head down for Ash Taylor but Foderingham dug him out with a fine block. His diving stop to keep out Niall McGinn's free-kick late in the half was just as important.

Bates then had his keeper to thank 90 seconds into the second period when he was robbed by McLean, with Foderingham first stopping McGinn before getting up to deny Adam Rooney.

But there was nothing the Englishman could do as Christie added a second on 52 minutes.

McGinn skipped past Tavernier out wide before hanging a cross up to the back post, where Rooney nodded back across for the on-loan Celtic playmaker to finish off with his head from close-range.

Gers substitute Waghorn was prevented from notching a quick-fire response by Considine's last-ditch block.

But he did raise the noise levels on 61 minutes as he raced onto Josh Windass' through pass before lifting the ball over Lewis into the net.

McInnes and Caixinha were then seen exchanging verbals as Rangers claimed in vain for a penalty when Barrie McKay tumbled at Shay Logan's feet.

The Dons had to play out the final 90 seconds a man light after Stockley picked up two quick bookings after barging into with Bates and Myles Beerman but they held on for their long-awaited win.

And Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha heightened his war of words with Derek McInnes after telling the Aberdeen manager not to come to the door of his Ibrox office.

The Portuguese engaged in a series of touchline spats with his Dons counterpart as the Reds claimed their first Ibrox triumph in a quarter of a century with a 2-1 win.

And as the teams made their way up the tunnel, Caxinha turned to McInnes and his coaching staff and told them they were not welcome for a post-match drink after claiming he had been snubbed when the teams met at Pittodrie last month.

Asked about the post-match squabble, the coach said: I was just saluting him and saying I didn't understand the reason why he invited me to be received in his office and didn't show up at the previous match.

So I said that if you didn't show up in the previous match, you are definitely not welcome to come to my office. It is a question of respect. If I am not being respected then, please, don't show up.

If he didn't show up and I waited more than 15 minutes, what do you call that? What do you call that?

I am a guy who came here to do my job. I know I am maybe the only foreigner but I have already passed through this situation in Mexico so I am used to it.

But I am here to win and here to defend this club.''

But McInnes told Caixinha he had got events at April's Granite City clash all wrong.

He's mistaken,'' he said.I was doing my media duties as I normally do and there is absolutely no way I would be like that with any manager and I never will. Every manager is welcome in my office and I always make the point.

It's not something you can aim at me. He's wrong, he's mistaken. If he thinks that then maybe he should have said to me be before - I don't know.

(Dons assistant) Tony Docherty and my staff were there at the time and told me they came in, had a quick glass of red wine and shot away. They made their apologies for having to leave so soon,

I was still doing my media work and it was no longer than any other time. I would never disrespect any manager in terms of after the game.

Will I go into his office? I might try.''

Asked about the angry exchanges between the pair during the match, McInnes added: That was just about decisions.

Managers and benches can get passionate on the touchline. There was a couple of calls, one or two things, and I argued with him as he did with me.''

This latest row comes a day after McInnes hit out at Caixinha for revealing his admiration for Reds skipper Ryan Jack.

The former Rangers midfielder also insisted the Light Blues should be embarrassed at finishing third behind his men.

But Caixinha could not resist biting back, saying: I'm not focused on Aberdeen next season. The focus at this club is always to be number one.

We don't misunderstand things here. I know what it represents to be in this chair, despite many others who should like to be here but they aren't.

I know what the job represents and I am here to defend the club and work for the club.''