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.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
