Ryan Naderi struck an 83rd-minute winner as Rangers edged Aberdeen 1-0 at Hampden to book their place in the Premier Sports Cup Final on Halloween night.
The Czech striker stabbed home from close range after James Penrice blasted the ball into the box, denying Aberdeen what had looked like a well-earned draw. Derek McInnes' side held their nerve against a Dons team that defended valiantly for long spells.
McInnes makes bold calls
Rangers captain Dan Neil had spoken before the match about his excitement at leading the side out at Hampden for the first time, but McInnes left him on the bench. Instead, James Penrice started alongside Nico Raskin, who was handed the armband, with Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens coming into the side. Djeidi Gassama was dropped in favour of Badredine Bouanani on the flank.
Aberdeen came into the match decimated by defensive injuries, with four centre-backs unavailable. After a home defeat to Falkirk on Wednesday night, Stephen Robinson made four changes, with Nicky Devlin, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Jack Milne and Connor Ronan all drafted in. Robinson arrived as the holder of the trophy, having won it as St Mirren manager last term.
Dons frustrate the favourites
Rangers dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, with Aberdeen packing the middle of the pitch. Bouanani was the best player on the pitch, cutting in off the right wing and forcing several saves from Dons keeper Marius Muller, who excelled throughout.
Aberdeen threatened first when Nesta Guinness-Walker drove into the box and forced Ivor Pandur into a one-handed save. As half-time approached, McInnes shifted Minsu Kim into central midfield, and Rangers improved. Muller clawed away a Bouanani long-range effort, Ryan Naderi headed over, and Kim blasted wide when well placed.
Naderi delivers the dagger
After the break, Rangers continued to press. Kevin Kelsy squandered the best chance, failing to hit the target with a header from six yards out, while Muller denied Bouanani and Raskin. At the other end, Kevin Nisbet forced a low save from Pandur, and an Olwethu Makhanya block deflected his shot wide.
Just as Aberdeen began to believe they could pull off a major surprise, Naderi was alert when Penrice blasted the ball into the box and diverted it home past Muller. The goal secured McInnes' side a place in the final next month, where he will expect to lift his first trophy as Rangers manager.
