Aberdeen match review

By: j | August 23rd, 2008

While the Rangers dominated play in Aberdeen today, the match ended in a 1-1, albeit controversial, draw.

The Rangers struck first as Kevin Thomson’s free-kick was headed to the back of the net by Davie Weir at the twenty-third minute. The Ger’s weren’t able to take the lead to the half as Aberdeen, on their only real offensive threat of the half, scored on Derek Young strike. In many ways it typified Aberdeen of late, out-played in every manner except the score-sheet and a the opposition squandering opportunities.

The match ended controversially with Pedro Mendes feeding DaMarcus Beasley for the go-ahead goal in added-time but was called back with a very late offside call. You’ll likely hear a great deal of (whining) commentary of the call being “questionable” however the truth is, that the Rangers had ample opportunity to win this match without having to score in the last minute and shouldn’t be complaining of calls not going their way. Whether the call was correct or not, usually those who end-up on the wrong side of the match do the most complaining and winners just take it with the territory. The Rangers need Strikers who can finish, pure and simple.

Walter Smith said after the match: “Pedro Mendes put a terrific ball through to Beasley and although Kris Boyd was fractionally offside, I don’t think he could have been deemed as interfering with play.

“I feel we deserved to shade a win, especially based on our first-half performance, but it wasn’t to be.”

No, the match ended in a draw, the Rangers didn’t net the winning goal even though virtually the entire first half was played in Aberdeen’s end with constant pressure and I don’t feel bad for a squad that can’t score from point-blank range. While many want me to strike up the band and simply lie in a Rangers blog, the truth is the stumbling bumbling ways that led to FBK Kaunas looking like a Champions League squad led to this decision. If Strikers can’t score, why are they here? I warrant many loyal fans might not like my matter-of-fact delivery but excuses should not be part of the coaching vocabulary, at least those that are “winning coaches.”

Aberdeen’s force’s should be commended for a yeoman like job today as they found a way to get a point. The supposed reprieve for the Rangers of Charlie Mulgrew missing the match was erroneous as the young Scot proved to me once again, he’s a tough SOB that you can build a club around. Looking for a man-of-the-match, it’s simple because the twenty-two year-old Glasgow native did a great job and I’m hopeful George Burley calls him up for the World Cup qualifiers.

Rangers can take a lot from this match, particularly Steven Davis and Pedro Mendes, as well as the tenacious attacking style that was evident from the opening whistle. Finishing needs to be dealt with and fast because squandered opportunities will continue to cost the club dearly.