Rangers clinched a dramatic victory at Pittodrie today and emphasised their
Premier League title credentials with two goals in the final two minutes.
The Ibrox side were down to 10 men at that stage with Scott Wilson sent off
for the second time this season.
Rangers were level at 2-2 when Wilson was dismissed but the 10 men rallied to
take the points.
Jorg Albertz put them ahead from the penalty spot after 88 minutes and Andrei
Kanchelskis added a fourth on the stroke of full time.
Those goals spoiled Jim Leighton's return to the Aberdeen line-up for the
first time in five matches.
The former Scotland keeper, who had been sidelined with a virus and then a
knee injury, replaced Derek Stillie between the posts.
German midfielder Andreas Mayer made his debut following his £200,000 move
from Rosenborg.
Games over the years between these two clubs have normally been highly
competitive and this one looked to be no exception.
Aberdeen striker Mike Newell picked up a yellow card after only two minutes
for a stiff challenge on Neil McCann.
The home side opened quite brightly and broke forward in the eighth minute at
a packed Pittodrie.
Eoin Jess picked out Robbie Winters with a glorious ball over the top but his
finish was wasteful.
That seemed to sting Rangers into action and they took a grip on the game with
two goals in an astonishing 60-second minute spell.
Sergio Porrini made the breakthrough after 11 minutes when he was left
unmarked at the back post as van Bronckhorst floated in a free-kick from the
right.
The Italian defender had the simple task of heading the ball home with
Leighton left stranded.
Aberdeen were still catching their breath when Rangers added a second goal.
Neil McCann scampered away down the left and Rod Wallace made a timely run
into the area to notch up his 20th goal of the season.
The Dons fans must have feared the worst but their side launched a spirited
reply.
Rangers keeper Stefan Klos beat away a shot from Jess and then a fine effort
from new boy Mayer.
Dons were rewarded when Newell threw them a lifeline by pulling a goal back 10
minutes before the break.
Ilian Kiriakov fed Robbie Winters and he drove a cross across the face of the
goal that deceived the Rangers defence.
Newell stooped low to glance a header beyond keeper Klos and give the home
side a glimmer of hope.
The experienced front man almost added a second in the 40th minute when he got
on the end of a Mark Perry cross, only to send his effort over the top.
Aberdeen manager Paul Hegarty brought on Andy Dow for the ineffective Kiriakov
at the break and the move soon paid dividends as they drew level.
Mayer was only inches away from scoring in the 46th minute, only to rattle the
bar from 20 yards after Darren Young had cleverly cut the ball back.
The Dons fans didn't have long to wait for the equaliser, however with Jess
pulling them level in the 50th minute.
Rangers skipper Lorenzo Amoruso gave away an indirect free-kick in the penalty
area as he tried to shepherd the ball back to keeper Klos.
Dow took the kick and sent a short ball into the path of Jess, who rifled a
shot high into the net.
The match took another dramatic turn on the hour when Wilson, sent off against
Celtic in November, was dismissed after picking up his second yellow card for a
challenge on Winters.
That left Rangers with 10 men and an uphill task. But they pulled ahead when
Albertz rattled home the spot-kick after Kanchelskis had been upended by John
Inglis.
Then Kanchelskis added the fourth after van Bronckhorst and Albertz had linked
up.
Teams:
Aberdeen: Leighton, Perry, Whyte, Inglis, Smith, Jess, Newell,
Mayer, Kiriakov (Dow 45), Young, Winters.
Subs Not Used: Stillie, Wyness, Hart, Gillies.
Booked: Newell, Jess, Leighton.
Goals: Newell 34, Jess 50.
Rangers: Klos, Porrini, Amoruso, Kanchelskis, Van Bronckhorst,
Albertz (Miller 90), Guivarc'h (Nicholson 60), Wallace,
McCann (Johansson 77), Wilson, Vidmar.
Subs Not Used: Amato, McGregor.
Sent Off: Wilson (58).
Booked: Wilson.
Goals: Porrini 10, Wallace 11, Albertz 86 pen, Kanchelskis 90.
Att: 19,537
Ref: K Clark (Paisley).
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