Dons Can’t Take Advantage

It was a strange week in Aberdeen. Not many games in Aberdeen’s history have totally overshadowed a game against the Huns but the midweek game against FC Copenhagen did just that. Undoubtedly Pittodrie’s greatest night since the quarter final game against Bayern in the Cup Winner’s Cup back in 1983. I would have taken a win, any win, but 4-0 was just taking the piss. And the fact we were infact drawn against Bayern in the next round of the UEFA Cup on Friday was just another subject of discussion to distract from Sunday’s game.

Everyone on Aberdeen was on an ultimate high after the win over Copenhagen and perhaps there was just a tad feeling of arrogance going into the clash.

The first real chance of the match fell to Aberdeen. Jamie Smith picked up the ball 25 yards out and beat one player before blasting inches wide even though possibly passing to the man at the backpost may have been the better option.

Immediately after that McGregor’s kick bounced straight through to Langfield. With no danger whatsoever he threw the ball out to Considine who took his eyes off the ball for a moment allowing Rangers to retain possession. A number of passes were stringed together before Alan Hutton found himself one on one with Langfield at an angle. Luckily for Aberdeen the goalkeeper who signed a new contract the day before got down to it and the ball rebounded to safety.

On the half hour mark somehow McCulloch lost his marker and found himself in acres of space and Alan Hutton played the ball through to him. McCulloch slid the ball across the face of the goal and Adam had the simple task of putting it into the Aberdeen net from 2 yards with every single red shirt pointing the finger at everyone but them.

Two minutes later was the turning point in the match. Chris Clark tried to shield the ball till it went out of play for a corner but Alan Hutton came from behind him to keep it in. The Gers player booted the ball out for a throw in but followed through with his clearance, completely taking out both of Clark’s legs in the process. There didn’t seem to be too much intent of hurting Clark but Hutton admitted he made a mistake and the referee awarded the yellow card. As the referee was running over to Hutton and Clark, 20 players followed and behind his back Ferguson aggressively barged into Lee Miller almost knocking him off his feet. Miller tried to get to Ferguson but was being kept away by the referee who was unaware of the incident and eventually showed Miller a yellow card for the troubles he thought Miller had caused.

Another two minutes went and Rangers had a free-kick down the other end. Ferguson knocked it short to Hutton who ran down the line, being chased by Clark. In pure revenge Clark totaled Hutton and that’s where it all really kicked off. Clark was immediately shown a yellow card but as all the players were running over to the incident, for no apparent reason McCulloch and Ferguson both jumped knees first hands raised into Scott Severin. The referee nor the linesman saw it from their angles but the Main Stand linesman saw exactly what happened and McCulloch was given his marching orders. However, Ferguson wasn’t shown anything.

Deep into first half injury time, Byrne played it to Diamond who returned it to him. Byrne smashed the ball across the box and McGregor could not hold onto it. The ball floated in the air for a minute and Miller was first to react, heading the ball into the effectively open goal.

Touzani and Maguire replaced Severin and Considine at the change and it looked like the Dons were going to come out in the 2nd half all guns firing. However, it was not to be.

On the hour mark Byrne tried a stepover or some pathetic attempt at a skill anyway and left Foster and Hart 2 on 2 at the back. Naismith split the (what was left of the) defence with a through ball, Foster fell over his own feet and onto the ground and with Cousin one on one with Langfield he tried to round the keeper but Langfield once again saved the day for the Dons with a brilliant sliding tackle.

Not long after that there was another altercation when after trying to win the ball from Ferguson, the Scotland captain grabbed young Chris Maguire’s throat directly under the nose of the referee. Yet again, Ferguson got away with a quiet word.

With 15 minutes to go, Touzani was another victim of failed sexy football. However, it wasn’t Boyd wasting another chance that was the talking point of the move but yet another off the ball incident. After winning the ball from Touzani, Adam appeared to stop the Dutchman getting back up by pushing him in the face back to the ground.

Ten minutes remaining and Naismith played the ball across the face of the goal and Diamond was fortunate not to turn it into his own net but instead over the bar.

In injury time the Dons won a corner but nothing came of the chance.

Firstly, what must Jimmy Calderwood have been thinking having used all three substitutes, including replacing a midfielder with a defender, every time he looked round he was looking at his two only hopes of another goal in this game, Steve Lovell and Sone Aluko?

Secondly, Andrew Considine is quite frankly not good enough for the SPL, never mind an Aberdeen-Rangers game. He makes too many mistakes and I can’t say one day they’re going to cost us because they always seem to do so.

Thirdly, Chris Maguire does not have the strength nor the skill for an Aberdeen-Rangers game. Yeah, that’s quite frankly it.

Fourth, how in the hell did Barry Ferguson finish the match and with not even a caution to his name?! He should have been off at least 3 times but of course, he’s a hun so he gets away with murder.

A good old Dons-Gers match on the whole. Biased/crap refereeing that goes in the way of Rangers, one red card that should have been 4 (and that includes Clark I’m afraid) and missiles thrown onto the pitch.

We were lucky to get away with a point and I’m sure the majority of honest Dons fans will agree with me, the worst ever live television performance by Aberdeen in memory.