Ianis Hagi scored a stoppage-time equaliser as 10-man Rangers roared back from two down to draw 2-2 at in-form Aberdeen and deny Celtic an early title party.
A Dons win over the second-place Gers would have confirmed the Hoops as champions, and that scenario looked all set to come to fruition as Barry Ferguson’s makeshift team – featuring nine changes from the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday – were torn apart in the first half.
The bedraggled visitors found themselves two goals and a man down at the break after strikes from Reds pair Leighton Clarkson and Pape Gueye, either side of Ross McCausland’s 40th-minute red card for two bookable offences.
🚀 | @IanisHagi10 pic.twitter.com/pzxo7TG4uA
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 13, 2025
But Gers improved after the break and Hamza Igamane pulled one back before substitute Hagi struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time to ensure Celtic – 15 points clear with five to play – will have to wait a while longer to be confirmed as champions.
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin sent out the same XI that started the victory at Ross County the previous weekend, while Ferguson opted to preserve several of his key men for Thursday’s second leg in Spain.
Goalkeeper Liam Kelly and Robin Propper, who was sent off in the first half of the 0-0 draw with the side from the Basque Country, were the only two to retain their starting places, with Connor Barron handed the captain’s armband against his former club and 18-year-old Findlay Curtis given his first start at left wing-back.
The hosts had the first chance of the match in the 18th minute when Topi Keskinen cut in from the left and the ball broke to Shayden Morris, who spun away from Curtis to get himself clear in the box before drilling a low shot agonisingly wide from 10 yards out.
Gers defender Rafael Fernandes picked up an injury in that phase of play and was replaced by James Tavernier, who was handed the captain’s armband by Barron.
The Dons had another golden opportunity in the 29th minute but centre-back Mats Knoester scooped Graeme Shinnie’s cross over the bar from six yards out.
The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute when Clarkson’s superbly-executed free-kick from just outside the box found the top corner, although Kelly, who got a hand to it, could arguably have done better.
A chastening day for the Gers stand-ins got worse in the 40th minute when McCausland, who had been booked just before the Dons’ goal, was shown his second yellow card after bringing down Keskinen on the left.
Aberdeen, who had been getting stronger as the half wore on, doubled their lead in the 44th minute when Morris skinned Curtis on the right and cut the ball back for Gueye to fire home from eight yards out.
The visitors thought they had pulled one back in first-half stoppage time when Igamane fired home but the ball was deemed to have gone out of play before Curtis crossed.
Ferguson tried to spark an improvement by sending on Mohamed Diomande and Jefte in place of Danilo and Oscar Cortes for the start of the second half, and his side got themselves back into it within four minutes of the restart.
Kelly’s long kick was headed on by Curtis and Igamane wriggled away from Alexander Jensen before drilling home a low finish from just inside the box.
Just as Aberdeen – who had a Kevin Nisbet goal ruled out for handball – looked set to close out a vital three points in their quest for third place, Hagi silenced Pittodrie when he curled home with virtually the last kick of the game, seconds after fellow substitute Cyriel Dessers had struck the post.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga